By: Spencer Neff
August 30, 2025

Final Practice Results Combined Practice Results Starting Grid

In the final practice before Sunday’s Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix presented by WillScot, Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon would post the fastest lap.

During the 60-minute session, Dixon posted a best lap of 198.759 mph (24.0895 seconds) on the 1.33-mile Nashville Superspeedway. He starts tomorrow’s 225-lap race fifth and has won three times before at the Lebanon, Tennessee oval.

He also posted the best lap during the preceding 30-minute group sessions meant to “rubber in” a second groove on the concrete venue.

Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden was second to Dixon’s Honda in his Chevrolet and starts in sixth as he looks to avoid his first winless season in 11 years. The native of nearby Hendersonville was .0355 of a second back of the fastest lap.

Meyer Shank Racing’s Marcus Armstrong was third and starts 15th as he wraps up the first season with his new team. David Malukas was fourth and starts on the outside pole for A.J. Foyt Racing.

Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood was fifth and starts 11th in the race. Following his career oval pole, Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward was 10th in the session.

PREMA Racing’s Robert Shwartzman was 15th and will start 16th as he battles Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Louis Foster (23rd in the session and 24th on the grid tomorrow) for Rookie of the Year honors. Foster is eight points ahead of Shwartzman.

With less than 20 minutes remaining in final practice, the lone major incident of the session brought out a caution. Near the exit of Turn 2, Arrow McLaren’s Nolan Siegel drifted up high and smacked the wall. His No. 6 entry sustained heavy damage to its right side.

It was announced following practice he would be assessed a nine-place grid penalty for the race (more on that at the end of the session recap.

A few minutes later, there was another incident that occurred in that area. PREMA Racing’s Callum Ilott spun on the back straightaway after making contact with the outside wall.

Before the checkered flag, Team Penske’s Will Power brushed the wall exiting Turn 4, prompting another brief caution. From there, drivers had time for one more lap at speed. For the 27 entrants in Sunday’s race, the focus now shifts to Sunday’s race and closing out the 2025 season on a high note.

Tomorrow’s race is the only time in 2025 where alternate Firestone tires will be utilized. Teams are mandated to use two sets of alternate tires and one set of primary compound tires in the race.

Only Ed Carpenter Racing’s Alexander Rossi and Dale Coyne Racing’s Rinus VeeKay will start on the alternate compound.

Siegel penalized for engine change

Following Saturday afternoon’s practice, INDYCAR announced an engine change penalty for the No. 6 Arrow McLaren entry (Nolan Siegel). Per INDYCAR

“The entries were in violation of:

Rule 16.1.2.3.2. A fifth (5th) 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 (5th) 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 Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix presented by WillScot Sunday, Aug. 31 at Nashville Superspeedway.”

Up Next

Here is the race day schedule for tomorrow at Nashville. Stay with IndyCar1909 for the latest on the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix presented by WillScot.

At-track schedule (all times Central):
SUNDAY, AUG. 31
10:31 a.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Music City Grand Prix “Drivers, start your engines”
10:35 a.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Music City Grand Prix (65 laps/86.45 miles), FS1
1 p.m. – FOX on air
1:40 p.m. – “Drivers, start your engines”
1:45 p.m. – Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix presented by WillScot (225 laps/299.25 miles), FOX (Live)
Header Image By Chris Jones/INDYCAR