By: Spencer Neff
August 4, 2023
Two weeks after earning pole positions and Top Five finishes in both races at Iowa Speedway, Team Penske’s Will Power returned to what has been his personal strength on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES calendar.
The two-time and defending INDYCAR Champion was quickest in Friday afternoon’s 75-minute opening practice for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. Power, who has a best start of eighth and finish of 11th (2022) in the first two runnings of this event, posted a best lap of 1m16.4042 (98.947 mph) on the 2.1-mile, 11-turn temporary Street circuit.
After leading the most laps and finishing third in 2022, Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou started off the weekend second on the speed chart. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES points leader was the fastest Honda in the field. The Arrow McLaren duo of Alexander Rossi and Pat O’Ward followed, with the series’ most recent street course winner, Christian Lundgaard of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing completing the Top Five.
Making his series debut in. Sudnday’s 80-lap race, Meyer Shank Racing’s Linus Lundqvist was the best among the five rookies in 11th. Past race winners Scott Dixon and Marcus Ericsson finished 10th and 25th in the 27-car field.
With just over five minutes remaining, the first red flag of the weekend was brought out. Juncos Hollinger Racing’s Callum Illott suffered a brake lockup in Turn 11.
While the AMR INDYCAR Safety Team was able to get the No.77 Chevrolet-powered car running under power, Ilott would lose the remaining practice time for causing a red flag. pursuant to Rule 7.4.1.1a- “A Driver involved in an incident that results in the declaration of Red Condition during a practice session will be assessed a penalty of five (5) minutes of Green Condition time during that session.
While Power recovered from a brief spin on pit exit, A.J. Foyt Racing’s Benjamin Pedersen spun in the same area that Ilott had, bringing the session to a premature end.
Up Next
Here is the remaining schedule for this weekend’s on-track sessions. Keep up with the latest on the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix from IndyCar1909.
At-track schedule (all times local):
Saturday, Aug. 5
9:35-10:20 a.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone practice, INDYCAR LIVE
10:40-11:40 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice (45 minutes green flag time or 60 minutes),Peacock
1:05-1:25 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Qualifying (eight minutes green flag or 15 minutes),INDYCAR LIVE
1:45 p.m. – Qualifying for the NTT P1 Award (three rounds of NTT INDYCAR SERIES knockout qualifications), Peacock
5:25-5:55 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES final practice, Peacock
Sunday, Aug. 6
9:10 a.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Music City Grand Prix “Drivers, start your engines”
9:15 a.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Music City Grand Prix (35 laps/73.5 miles/55 minutes),Peacock (live)
11 a.m. – NBC on air
11:23 a.m. – Big Machine Music City Grand Prix “Drivers, start your engines”
11:30 a.m. – Big Machine Music City Grand Prix (80 laps/168 miles), NBC (live)
Header Image By Travis Hinkle/INDYCAR
IndyCar1909.com 