By: Spencer Neff
August 16, 2024

Qualifying Order Practice 1 Results

Meyer Shank Racing’s David Malukas was quickest during Friday’s hour-long session to open the Bommarito automotive Group 500 weekend at Worldwide Technology Raceway (Gateway) in Madison, Illinois.

After the third-year driver announced his signing of a multi-year deal with A.J. Foyt Racing beginning in 2025 on Tuesday, Malukas returns to a track where he finished second and third in his previous starts.

The current driver of the No. 66 entry posted a best lap of 178.830 mph (25.1635 seconds) on the 1.25-mile oval.

Andretti Global’s Colton Herta, whose team shares a technical alliance with MSR, was second-quickest, .0591 of a second off Malukas’ best lap.

Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin, who won the pole for last year’s race, was the fastest Chevrolet entry in third, behind the Honda duo.

McLaughlin’s teammate and 2018 Gateway winner Will Power was fourth with points leader Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing in fifth.

Arrow McLaren’s Nolan Siegel was the best rookie in the session, ending up in ninth.

Less than 15 minutes into the session, Rookie of the Year leader Linus Lundqvist stalled on the back straightaway with a reported MCU (Motor Control Unit)related-hybrid system issue. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver’s No.8 was towed back to the garage area.

Grid Penalties announced

Prior to the beginning of the weekend’s on-track action, grid penalties were announced for the No. 9 and No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing entries (Scott Dixon and Alex Palou) as well as the No. 51 Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing entry (Katherine Legge) and the No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing entry (Felix Rosenqvist).

Per INDYCAR-

“The teams were in violation of:

Rule 16.1.2.3.2. A fifth (5^th) Engine is eligible to earn Engine Manufacturer points if a Full Season Entrant has completed the Full Season Entrant Engine Mileage with its first four (4) Engines. Otherwise, a fifth (5^th) or more Engine does not earn Engine Manufacturer points and will be considered an Unapproved Engine change-out.

According to Rule 16.1.6.1.2., the penalty is a six-position starting grid penalty on road and street course events and nine positions at oval events and will be served at the series’ next event, which is the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline Saturday, Aug. 17 at World Wide Technology Raceway.”

Up Next

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

At-track schedule (all times local):

FRIDAY, AUG. 16

2:15-3 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone practice, INDYCAR LIVE

3:20 p.m. – Bommarito Automotive Group 500 NTT P1 Award qualifying (single car/cumulativetime of two laps), Peacock

5:45 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone OUTFRONT Showdown qualifying (single car/cumulativetime of two laps), INDYCAR LIVE

6:45-7:15 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES high-line session (two groups/15 minutes each),Peacock

7:30-8:30 p.m. –NTT INDYCAR SERIES final practice, Peacock

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/325miles), USA Network (Live)

Header Image By Paul Hurley/INDYCAR