By: Spencer Neff
February 28, 2025
Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood was quickest during the first practice of the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. In a 75-minute practice split into four sessions, the Jupiter, Florida native turned a best lap of 1m00.4416 (107.212 mph) on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn temporary street course in St. Petersburg, Florida. This weekend marks the opening round of the season, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou, seeking his third consecutive series championship and fourth overall, was second to Kirkwood, .1303 of a second back of Kirkwood. In addition to their 1-2 finish for Honda, Kirkwood and Palou were the only drivers to run sub-61 second laps in opening practice.
Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin was the fastest of the Chevrolet-powered entries in third. 2021 pole and race winner Colton Herta of Andretti Global was fourth. 2024 race winner Pato O’Ward of Arrow McLaren rounded out the Top 5.
2024 Indy NXT By Firestone Champion Louis Foster of Rahal Letterman Lanigan was best among the three rookies in the field, ending his first INDYCAR practice session in 12th.
During the opening 45-minute session, Rosenqvist spun in Turn 3 but was able to continue on un scathed. Meyer Shank Racing teammate Marcus Armstrong prompted a red flag during the first of three 10-minute group sessions but also continued on.
McLaughlin was not as lucky, making heavy contact with the inside wall in Turn 3. The 2022 pole and race winner prompted another red flag minutes after the one for Armstrong’s contact was lifted.
Armstrong and McLaughlin’s incidents were during the 10-minute group segment portion of the afternoon.
Up Next
Here is the remaining on-track schedule for this weekend in St. Petersburg. Stay with IndyCar1909.com and our social media platforms for the latest on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
Saturday, March 1
9:15-9:55 a.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone practice, FS2
10:15-11:15 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice (Limited guarantee of 45 minutes of greenflag time), FS2
1:30-2 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone qualifying (Two groups, 12-minute session with green flagof one timed lap), FS2
2:30-4 p.m. – Qualifying for the NTT P1 Award (Three rounds of knockout qualifying), FS1
Sunday, March 2
9:02-9:27 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES warmup, FS2
10:10 a.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (45 laps/81 miles/55 minutes),FS1 (Live)
Noon – FOX Sports on air
12:22 p.m. – “Drivers, start your engines”
12:29 p.m. – Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding (100 laps/181miles), FOX, FOX Sports Deportes, FOX Sports App (Live)
Header Image By Joe Skbinski/INDYCAR
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