By: Spencer Neff
August 16, 2024

Final Practice Results Combined Practice Results

Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward turned the quickest lap during Friday night’s 60-minute final practice for Saturday’s Bomamrito Automotive Group 500.

O’Ward, a two-time race winner this season, notched a best lap of 174.708 mph at Worldwide Technology Raceway. In five previous starts at the 1.25-mile oval in Madison, Illinois, O’Ward has earned three runner-up finishes but has yet to reach victory lane. He starts tomorrow night’s 260-lap race in eighth.

Behind O”Ward’s Chevrolet were the Andretti Global duo of Marcus Ericsson and Colton Herta. Ericsson was .0765 of second back from O’Ward and starts the race in seventh. Following wall contact during his second qualifying lap, Herta rebounded in tonight’s practice and will start 22nd.

Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden, who boasts a track record four wins at Gateway, was fourth and starts third. Kyle Kirkkwood joined his Andretti Global teammates in fifth

Alex Palou (170.347 mph-26.4166 seconds) was fastest in the 30-minute “high-line” session held prior to Friday night’s practice. The session, which split the field between two groups in consecutive 15-minute sessions, has been used frequently during oval race weekends to help “rubber down” the outside groove.

Palou, who leads the NTT INDYCAR SERIES points by 49 over Team Penske’s Will Power, was 16th of 27 cars in the session. He will start in 16th following a nine-place gird penalty for an engine change.

Just over 15 minutes into the final practice, Siegel would suffer a right-front tire failure on the front straightaway. The Arrow McLaren rookie would coast from Turn 1 back to pit lane to the attention of his crew.

Despite the issue, Siegel ended the session eighth, best among the rookie class.

Up Next

Here is tomorrow’s schedule. Stay With IndyCar1909 and out social media platforms for the latest on the Bomamrito Automotive Group 500. 

At-track schedule (all times local):

SATURDAY, AUG. 17

3 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone OUTFRONT Showdown “Drivers Start Your Engines”

3:05 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone OUTFRONT Showdown (75 laps / 93.75 miles)

5 p.m. – USA Network on air

5:25 p.m. – “Drivers, start your engines”

5:30 p.m. – Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline (260 laps/325 miles), USA Network (Live)

Header Image By Joe Skibinski/INDYCAR