By: Spencer Neff
June 21, 2024

Team Penske continued where they left off from their podium sweep at Road America two weekends ago. Scott McLaughlin would lead the 75-minute opening practice on the 2.238-mile, 11-turn WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

Posting a best lap of 1m07.6325 (119.126 mph) on the Salinas, California venue, the Barber Motorsports Park winner finished the afternoon .0991 of a second ahead of Andretti Global’s Colton Herta, who was the fastest Honda after McLaughlin’s Chevrolet entry.

Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou and Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden followed with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Pietro Fittipaldi rounding out the Top Five in his first race here.

McLaughlin and Newgarden’s teammate and points leader Will Power finished the session in 10th. Ed Carpenter Racing’s Christian Rasmussen was the best rookie in 14th.

In his first practice with his new team, Meyer Shank Racing’s David Malukas spun in Turn 2 and would prompt a red flag less than 30 minutes into the session. Before the 60-minute mark, Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward spun in Turn 5, which led to a second red flag.

Malukas would end the afternoon in 25th. Arrow McLaren’s Nolan Siegel was 27th during the first on-track session with his new team.

Up Next

Spotter Guide Pit Assignments

Here is the remaining schedule for the weekend. Stay with IndyCar1909.com and our social media for the latest on the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey.

At-track schedule (all times local):

Saturday, June 22

9-9:30 a.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Qualifying (Two groups, 12-minutes each / Fastest lap determines the lineup for Race 1, second fastest lap determines the lineup for Race 2),INDYCAR LIVE

10-11 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice 2 (45 minutes limited guarantee), Peacock

12:30 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey Race 1 “Drivers Start YourEngines”12:35 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey Race 1 (35 laps / 78.33 miles / 55minutes), Peacock

2:15 p.m. – Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey NTT P1 Award qualifying (three rounds ofknockout qualifying), Peacock

Sunday, June 23

Noon-12:30 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES final practice, Peacock

1 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey Race 2 “Drivers Start Your Engines”

1:05 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey Race 2 (35 laps / 78.33 miles / 55minutes), Peacock

3 p.m. – USA Network on air

3:23 p.m. – Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey “Drivers, start your engines

Header Image By Paul Hurley/INDYCAR