By: Spencer Neff

August 7, 2026

Practice Results

Finishing out the final third of the 18-race NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ 2026 season, points leader Alex Palou set the early pace during Friday’s opening practice for Sunday’s OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland at Portland International Raceway.

The Chip Ganassi Racing driver, who previously won at the 1.964-mile, 12-turn permanent Oregon road course in 2021 and 2023, posted a best lap of 58.5716 seconds (120.714 mph), besting Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood by .0886 of a second. Juncos Hollinger Racing’s Rinus VeeKay followed in third, fastest among the Chevrolets behind the Honda duo.

Kirkwood’s teammate Will Power, a three-time Portland winner (2019, 2024-2025) was fourth ahead of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Louis Foster and Palou’s teammate Kyffin Simpson, giving Honda five of the fastest six drivers to start off the weekend.

A.J. Foyt Racing’s Caio Collet led the way for the rookies in the field, finishing his first INDYCAR practice at Portland in 13th of 25 cars.

The Arrow McLaren duo of Pato O’Ward, who have combined to win the last three races the series has run on permanent road courses, finished 15th and 17th respectively. O’Ward started on the pole last year after a grid penalty dropped Lundgaard to seventh. Lundgaard did finish second to Will Power in the race.

While Foster saw his on-track time limited with issues related to a new engine and Meyer Shank Racing’s Marcus Armstrong made contact with the outside wall in Turn 1, this afternoon’s practice was completed without a major incident.

Collet and Malukas handed grid penalties

Prior to Friday afternoon’s practice, INDYCAR posted the following message:

“INDYCAR Officiating has announced six-position starting grid penalties for the entries of No. 4 A.J. Foyt Enterprises and No. 12 Team Penske for unapproved engine changes. The No. 12 of Team Penske made two unapproved engine changes during the race weekend at Nashville Superspeedway while the No. 4 of A.J. Foyt Enterprises made an unapproved engine change following the Monday, July 20 race.

The No. 4 of A.J. Foyt Enterprises and No. 12 of Team Penske were 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.

The No. 12 of Team Penske was in violation of:

Rule 16.1.6.2.1. If an Entrant makes two (2) Unapproved Engine Change-Outs during an on-track Event, the penalty for the second (2nd) Unapproved Engine Change-Out is served at the following Race.

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 OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland on Sunday, Aug. 9 at Portland International Raceway.”

Up Next

Here is the remaining schedule for the weekend in Portland. Stay with IndyCar1909.com and our social media platforms with the latest on the OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

At-track schedule (all times local):

Saturday, Aug. 8

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

4:05 p.m. – OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland NTT P1 Award qualifying (three rounds of knockout qualifying), FS1 (live)

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Sunday, Aug. 9

10:05-10:35 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES final practice, FS1 (live)

1 p.m. – FOX on air

1:20 p.m. – OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland “Drivers, start your engines”

1:27 p.m. – OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland (110 laps/216.04 miles), FOX (live)

Header Image By Chris Owens/INDYCAR