By: Spencer Neff
April 23, 2025
Combined Practice Results No-Tow Speeds
Scott Dixon paced the field on the first of two days of testing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in preparation for next month’s 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. The 2008 race winner posted a best lap of 225.182 mph (39.9677).
Dixon ended the day .0111 of a second ahead of Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden. The 2023 and 2024 Indianapolis 500 winner was the lone Chevrolet-powered entry as nine Honda-powered cars occupied the Top 10.
Following Dixon and Newgarden was two-time race winner Takuma Sato of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. Sato joined the duo as the only drivers to eclipse the 225 mph mark (40 second-lap). Meyer Shank Racing’s Marcus Armstrong and Colton Herta of Andretti Global rounded out the Top Five.
Armstrong’s teammate Felix Rosenqvist also topped the no-tow speed chart. With boost levels increasing tomorrow morning for qualifying simulations, no-tow speeds will be potential indicator of favorites to start up front.
11 drivers would top Alex Palou’s best lap from the first session (223.303 mph-40.3039 seconds). Louis Foster of Rahal Letterman Langian Racing was the fastest among the quartet of drivers vying for Rookie of the Year honors in 19th.
After being delayed for more than two hours due to internet connectivity issues, oval veterans hit the track for 90 minute of practice. During the session, two drivers experienced mechanical issues. Jack Harvey of Dreyer and Reinbold Racing stalled on the back straightaway.
It was later determined the hybrid unit in his Chevrolet entry suffered a failure on the hybrid unit.
Soon after, Chevrolet stablemate Santino Ferrucci of A.J. Foyt Racing would endure a similar fate. Ferrucci’s was the result of an engine failure. The cause will be determined after it’s examined by Chevrolet in Detroit. Like Harvey, Ferrucci would make his way onto the race track during the waning
During the later session, only one major incident occurred. With less than 13 minutes remaining, Graham Rahal brushed the wall in the north chute. The Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver would coast back to pit lane without significant damage but the caution was displayed for the first time during the second full-field session.
During the morning session, it would be Palou leading a Chip Ganassi Racing 1-2 with teammate Scott Dixon. The points leader notched a best lap of 223.303 mph (40.3039 seconds). Dixon was .0535 of a second back of his teammate.
Meyer Shank Racing’s Felix Rosenqvist, who;’s team shares a technical alliance with CGR, was third.
Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden and Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward, were fourth and fifth in the session, best among the Chevrolets. Newgarden passed O’Ward on the final lap to win the 2024 Indianapolis 500. Newgarden is seeking an unprecedented third consecutive victory in the race.
Sato leads Refresher Program, Shwartzman fastest among rookies
Making his first INDYCAR start since last year’s race, Takuma Sato was quickest during the two-hour session for Refresher and Rookie Orientation Programs. Sato posted a best lap of 222.437 mph-40.4609 seconds) of the eight drivers participating.
After Sato were the Hondas of Marco Andretti from Andretti Global and Rahal Letterman Lanigan’s Devlin DeFrancesco.
Callum Ilott of PREMA Racing was best among the Chevrolets. Teammate Robert Shwartzman was best among the three drivers completing their Rookie Orientation Programs. PREMA looks to make their first Indianapolis 500 next month.
Shwartzman, Louis Foster of RLLR and Jacob Abel of Dale Coyne Racing needed to complete 10 laps at a speed between 205-210 mph, 15 laps at 210-215 mph and 15 laps over 215 mph. Veterans needing to complete the refresher are only required to complete the latter two phases.
Up Next
Here is the schedule for tomorrow’s on-track activity at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Open Test. Stay with IndyCar1909 and our social media channels for chelatest on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES
Thursday, April 24, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET)
9:30 a.m.-noon: “High Boost” Session: Qualifying Simulations
2-5 p.m.: All drivers
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