By: Spencer Neff

August 22, 2026

Practice Results

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ most dominant competitors on temporary street circuits finished 1-2 during the first practice for Sunday’s Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington D.C.

Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood (57.3744 seconds-106.668 mph) led the way during the first session on the 1.7-mile, seven-turn circuit. Kirkwood, who bested Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou at the series’ first of three inaugural street circuits in March (Arlington), led The NTT INDYCAR SERIES points leader by .2379 of a second.

A week after his second Fast Six appearance (both on street circuits) rookie Dennis Hauger led the way for the rookies and completed a 1-2-3 finish by Honda engines.

Team Penske’s David Malukas was best among the Chevrolets in fourth, with Kirkwood’s teammate and Sunday’s winner at Markham, Marcus Ericsson, completing the Top Five.

Early rain led to connectivity issues with the circuit’s course marshaling system and forced a brief delay in the on-track running.

Aside from wall contact by Arrow McLaren’s Christian Lundgaard, the session was completed without major incident. Lundgaard’s crew replaced a toe link on the right-rear of his car but was otherwise unaffected by the contact in Turn Six.

Andretti Global’s Will Power made contact with the outside wall in Turn 3 but was able to drive back to pit road and continue on.

Ferrucci penalized for engine change

Prior to this morning’s practice, INDYCAR announced a grid penalty to be assessed to the No. 14 A.J. Foyt Racing entry (Santino Ferrucci. Per INDYCAR Officiating,

“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 Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., Sunday, on the Streets of Washington, D.C.”

Up Next

Here is the remaining on-track schedule for the weekend. Stay with IndyCar1909.com for the latest on the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

At-track schedule (All Times Local/Eastern Time):
Saturday, Aug. 22
1:05-2:30 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 2 (split group format), FS2
5-6:30 p.m. – NTT P1 Award qualifying (two rounds of knockout qualifying followed by Firestone Fast Six single-car pole showdown), FS2
Sunday, Aug. 23
9:15-9:45 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Warmup, FS1
11:30 a.m. – FOX Pre-Race Show on air
1:06 p.m. – “Drivers, start your engines”
1:13 p.m. – Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. (147 laps/250 miles), FOX (Live)

Header Image By Chris Owens/INDYCAR