By: Spencer Neff

July 3, 2026

Practice Results

Andretti Global’s Will Power led the way during Friday’s opening practice for the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio. Power, the 2020 (Race 1) winner and four-time pole sitter at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, notched a best lap of 1m05.554 on the 2.238-mile, 13-turn permanent road course in Lexington, Ohio.

Teammate Kyle Kirkwood finished second, .1134 of a second back of Power on the afternoon. Kirkwood has finished eighth in each of the last two years at Mid-Ohio. NTT INDYCAR SERIES Points leader and 2023 Mid-Ohio winner Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing was third, making it a 1-2-3 for Honda.

Arrow McLaren led the way for the Chevrolet group, as Christian Lundgaard and Pato O’Ward ended the session in fourth and fifth. Lundgaard has won the las two races on permanent road courses (IMS and Road America) in 2026. O’Ward won at Mid-Ohio in 2024, the first race with the current hybrid system.

A.J. Foyt Racing’s Caio Collet was best among the rookies

The red flag was brought out twice during the afternoon session. During the “all-skate” session, Marcus Armstrong went off course in Turn 2 and would see a premature end to his first practice session of the weekend.

Late in the first of a pair of 12-minute practices split between the 25-car field, Romain Grosjean spun in Turn 9. The Dale Coyne Racing driver made contact with the rear wing of his entry to the inside tire barrier. Like Armstrong, he climbed from his car but was done for the day.

Robb penalized for engine change

“INDYCAR Officiating has announced a six-position starting grid penalty for the entry of No. 77 Juncos Hollinger Racing (Sting Ray Robb) for an unapproved engine change following a team test at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Tuesday, June 23.The entry was in violation of:Rule 16.1.2.3.2. A fifth (5th) Engine is eligible to earn Engine Manufacturer points and will be considered an Approved Engine Change-Out 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 Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the 2027 CR-V Hybrid July 5 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.”- INDYCAR announced Friday morning.

Armstrong reamining with MSR, moves to No. 60

On Friday morning, Meyer Shank Racing announced that Marcus Armstrong has signed a contract extension to remain with the organization.

As part of the deal, he will move from the No. 66 to the No. 60, which has been occupied by IndianapOLIS 500 winner Felix Rosenqvist since 2024.

“I’m proud to announce a multi-year partnership with MSR,” said Armstrong.

“I want to thank Mike, Jim, Tim and Helio for this opportunity and for believing in me. I feel that Meyer Shank Racing gives me one of the strongest cars on the grid every weekend. Our goals are aligned, we want to win races and be consistently fighting at the front. I especially look forward to returning to the Indy 500 having unfinished business from this year. We still have eight races left this season and we have some strong momentum going. I’m ready more than ever to close out this season on a high note and start prepping for 2027.”

Armstrong recorded his second career podium with MSR last year at Iowa Race 2 and has a pair of fifth-place finishes this year (Phoenix and Indianapolis 500).

“Since joining the team, Marcus has really shown that he is a top contender, something that is not easy to do in this field,” said Mike Shank.

“His work ethic, feedback, and determination to improve every weekend make him exactly the kind of driver you want to build around. We’ve seen tremendous growth from him, and we’re excited to continue that journey together starting in 2027.”

Armstrong’s deal lasts through at least 2027. The driver of the No. 66 entry will b e announced at a later date. per MSR.

Up Next

Here is the remaining weekend schedule for the weekend at Mid-Ohio. Stay with IndyCar1909.com for the latest on the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES>

SATURDAY, JULY 4

10:05-11:25 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 2 , FS1 (live)

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2:35-4 p.m. – Qualifying for the NTT P1 Award (Three rounds of knockout qualifying), FS1 (live)

SUNDAY, JULY 5

9:05-9:35 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Warmup, FS1 (live)

10:01 a.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix at Mid-Ohio Race 2 command to start engines

10:08 a.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix at Mid-Ohio Race 2 (30 laps/50 minutes), FS1 (live)

11:57 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Driver Introductions

12:30 p.m. – FOX on air

12:45 p.m. – The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the 2027 CR-V Hybrid command to start engines

12:52 p.m. – The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the 2027 CR-V Hybrid (90 laps/203.22 miles), FOX (live)

Header Image By Chris Owens/INDYCAR