By: Spencer Neff
June 22, 2024

Practice 2 Results Combined Practice Results Qualifying Groups

Andretti Global’s Colton Herta made his way to the top of the leaderboard in Saturday morning’s practice for this weekend’s Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The 2019 and 2021 race winner (both from the pole) notched a best lap of 1m08.2300 (118.083 mph) on the 2.238-mile, 11-turn WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Salinas, California.

Herta, who was second-fastest in Friday’s session, was .1961 of a second quicker than points leader Will Power of Team Penske, the fastest Chevrolet in second. Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou, Power’s teammate Scott McLaughlin’s (Friday’s practice leader) and Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward completed the Top Five.

Less than five minutes into the session, Christian Rasmussen veered off course in Turn 10 and made heavy contact with the tire barrier in Turn 10.

The Ed Carpenter Racing rookie climbed from his damaged car unassisted but his time will have a limited amount of time to get the No. 20 car ready for qualifying. Despite his early crash, Rasmussen posted the best lap among the rookies in 14th.

Sting Ray Robb of A.J. Foyt Racing spun on the entrance to the corkscrew in Turn 8 less than 10 minutes after the ensuing red flag and needed assistance from the AMR Safety Team before continuing on.

Chip Ganassi Racing’s Kyffin Simpson would also find trouble as the rookie spun at the exit off. Turn 9 with just over eight minutes remaining. After that red flag was lifted, the session was completed without further incident. b

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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

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 Chris Jones/INDYCAR