By: Spencer Neff
April 26, 2024

Practice 1 Results

Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden began the weekend on a high note. On Friday afternoon, the two-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES Champion led the way during the opening 75-minute session at Barber Motorsports Park.

Ahead of Sunday’s Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix, the driver of the No. 2 Chevrolet-powered entry clocked a best lap of 1m07.540 (124.130 mph) on the 2.3-mile, 17-turn permanent road course in Leeds, Alabama.

Arrow McLaren’s Pato O”Ward and Newgarden’s teammate Will Power would make it a 1-2-3 for Chevrolet. Honda’s fastest lap was run by Colton Herta of Andretti Global, who was fourth of the 27 entrants.

Ed Carpenter Racing’s Christian Rasmussen was 13th, best among the rookies in the field. Luca Ghiotto, who makes his series debut in the No. 51 for Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing, was 27th on the practice chart.

Despite leading the session, it did get off to a rock start for Newgarden.

Just shy of 15 minutes into practice, Newgarden spun in Turn 13. Although he was able to return to pit lane under power, the three-time Barber winner prompted the first red flag of the weekend.

Less than 10 minutes after practice went back to green flag conditions, Agustin Canapino spun. The Junco Hollinger Racing driver was stuck on the grass outside Turns 1-2, prompting another red flag.

Up Next

Here is the remaining schedule for this weekend at Barber Motorsports Park. IndyCar1909.com will have recaps following all on-track sessions and updates on social media throughout the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix.

At-track schedule (All Times Local/Central Time):

Friday, April 26

1:30-2:15 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone practice, INDYCAR LIVE

2:40-3:55 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice (75 minutes), Peacock

Saturday, April 27

10:05-10:50 a.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone practice, INDYCAR LIVE

11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice (45 minutes), Peacock

1:35-2:05 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Qualifying (Two groups, 12-minute session), INDYCAR LIVE

2:30-4 p.m. – Qualifying for the NTT P1 Award (three rounds of knockout qualifying), Peacock

Sunday, April 28

9:15-9:45 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES warmup, Peacock

10:10 a.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Alabama “Drivers, start your engines”

10:15 a.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Alabama (35 laps/55 minutes), Peacock.

Noon – NBC on air

12:33 p.m. – Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix “Drivers, start your engines”

12:40 p.m. – Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix (90 laps / 207 miles), NBC (Live)

Header Image By Joe Skibinski/INDYCAR