IndyCar News: Newgarden Fastest in Morning Warmup for Acura GP of Long Beach

Josef Newgarden was fastest in the morning warmup session this morning as we prepare for the 51st Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.  The Team Penske driver of the No 2 Astemo Chevrolet will start 14th on the grid today.

Scott Dixon, the two-time winner here at Long Beach, was second fastest in his No 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.

Felix Rosenqvist, today’s polesitter, was third fastest in his No 60 Sirius/XM/Acura Honda for Meyer Shank Racing.

Alex Palou, the 2025 Champion, was fourth fastest in his No 10 OpenAI Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.

Graham Rahal, making his 19th start on the streets of Long Beach, was fifth fastest in his No 15 One Cure Honda for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.

The biggest strategic question heading into the race is how many pit stops teams will make. Several drivers told Autoracing1 they would prefer to run just two stops, especially given the exceptionally long pit lane at Long Beach, where every second spent in the pits is critical.

The new tire rule is also in effect for this weekend. Every car must run one set of primary (black) tires for at least two laps and two sets of alternate (red) tires for at least two laps each.  The drivers are unsure whether the alternates will last 30 laps.

The 90-lap race is scheduled on FOX at 2:30 pm PT, with the green flag flying at 2:57 pm.

Lucille Dust reporting live from Long Beach