By: Spencer Neff
June 7, 2024
Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou was fastest during the opening 75-minute practice for Sunday’s XPEL Grand Prix at Road America. The 2021 and 2023 race winner posted a best lap of 1m43.1709 (140.063 mph) on the 4.014-mile, 14-turn permanent road course in in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.
Andretti Global’s Colton Herta, who has won pole for this race twice (2019 and 2023) was second-fastest, ending the Friday afternoon session .0797of a second back of Palou.
A.J. Foyt Racing’s Santino Ferrucci and Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden were third and fourth, best among the Chevrolet entries. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Christian Lundgaard was fifth.
Although not a rookie, Lundgaard’s RLLR teammate Pietro Fittipaldi was 11th in his first official session at Road America. Making his third start for Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing, Luca Ghiotto was 17th, best among the six drivers classified as a rookie.
Just over 17 minutes into the session, Romain Grosjean slid off course into the Turn 14 tire barrier. The Juncos Hollinger Racing driver would climb from his car unassisted but his No. 77 entry would need a tow-in.
Grosjean was beginning his first lap at speed and did not record another official time during the session. As a result, he was 27th on the chart.
As the session drew to a close, Marcus Armstrong went off course in Turn 12. The session would ended with the red and checkered flag displayed simultaneously. Those incidents were the only major stoppages to the session.
Siegel replaces Canapino
Before the session went green, another driver change was announced.
Nolan Siegel will drive the No. 78 for Juncos Hollinger Racing entry this weekend. Agustin Canapino has been granted a leave of absence for the weekend.
“Online abuse is unacceptable, and we need to ensure that our drivers are prepared both mentally and physically when they get in the car,” said Brad Hollinger, Co-Owner of Juncos Hollinger Racing.
“We are saddened by the events that led to this scenario.”
Siegel would finish 26th during the session, posting a best lap of 1m45.1027 (137.488 mph).
Up Next
Here is the remaining schedule for this weekend at Road America. IndyCar1909 will have recaps following each on-track session and updates via our social media platforms.
At-track schedule (all times Central Time):
Saturday, June 8
9-9:45 a.m. INDY NXT by Firestone Practice 2, INDYCAR LIVE
10:10-11:10 a.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 2 (45 minutes of green flag or 60 totalminutes), Peacock
1:30-2 p.m. INDY NXT by Firestone Qualifying (two groups/12 minutes each), INDYCAR LIVE
2:25-3:55 p.m. Qualifying for the NTT P1 Award (Three rounds of knockout qualifying), Peacock
Sunday, June 9
11:15-11:45 a.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES Final Practice, Peacock
12:10 p.m. INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix at Road America command to start engines
12:15 p.m. INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix at Road America (20 laps/55 minutes), Peacock
2 p.m. Driver introductions
2:38 p.m. XPEL Grand Prix at Road America command to start engines
2:45 p.m. XPEL Grand Prix at Road America (55 laps/222.64 miles), NBC (live)
Header Image By Chris Owens/INDYCAR
IndyCar1909.com 