Scott McLaughlin,

IndyCar News: McLaughlin tops opening practice at Laguna Seca

Team Penske Chevy driver Scott McLaughlin turned a lap of 1m07.6325s to top opening practice for the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

“Pretty good day in the Good Ranchers Chevy,” McLaughlin said. “The car was pretty hooked up from the get-go, and it really got on reds (Firestone alternate tires) when we turned it on. The track’s getting faster and faster, and I think it’s sort of coming to our car a little bit. More to come tomorrow.”

Colton Herta was 2nd for Andretti Global, just 0.0991s behind McLaughlin.

Alex Palou was 3rd with a lap of 1m07.7371s in his No 10 DHL Honda.

McLaughlin’s teammate, Josef Newgarden was fourth with a time of 1m07.8805s.

“It’s quicker than it feels,” Newgarden said of the track. “It does feel like a lot less grip, but the lap time is not that bad compared to last year. So, it’s still really fast, but you’re tiptoeing more. Last year, the thing just felt like it was stuck on the track.”

Pietro Fittipaldi rounded out the top five with a lap of  1m08.0025s.

Numerous drivers ran out of talent and spun or ventured off track while working to adjust to the lower levels of grip on the track this year compared to 2023 when the fresh asphalt offered more traction.

 

Colton Herta

Colton Herta
Colton Herta                 Photo by Joe Skibinski | IMS Photo

Andretti Global’s Colton Herta is a two time winner at this track.  Last year, the surface was brand new here and the American was asked how the track has changed.

“I would say the grip maybe went down a little bit, but it still seems to be there. I think you might have a tiny bit more tire deg, but very minor changes. It seems like the repave has held up nicely over the year.”

“That’s good to see that they did a really good job doing it.”

“This place is really, really tough. It is a true driver’s track. To get the most out of the car and a lap around here, it takes every bit of skill and focus.”

The newest Arrow McLaren driver in the No 6 entry,  Nolan Siegel was at the bottom of the timing chart.

Practice 1 Results

Pos No Name Time Behind Gap FL Laps Speed Engine Team
1 3 Scott McLaughlin 1m07.6325s 0.000s 0.00s 21 21 119.126 Chevy Team Penske
2 26 Colton Herta 1m07.7316s 0.0991 0.0991 13 16 118.952 Honda Andretti Global w/Curb‑Agajanian
3 10 Alex Palou 1m07.7371s 0.1046 0.0055 22 23 118.942 Honda Chip Ganassi Racing
4 2 Josef Newgarden 1m07.8805s 0.2480 0.1434 13 14 118.691 Chevy Team Penske
5 30 Pietro Fittipaldi 1m08.0025s 0.3700 0.1220 27 33 118.478 Honda Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
6 5 Pato O’Ward 1m08.0090s 0.3765 0.0065 16 19 118.467 Chevy Arrow McLaren
7 27 Kyle Kirkwood 1m08.0454s 0.4129 0.0364 17 17 118.403 Honda Andretti Global
8 7 Alexander Rossi 1m08.0771s 0.4446 0.0317 20 22 118.348 Chevy Arrow McLaren
9 11 Marcus Armstrong 1m08.0819s 0.4494 0.0048 22 25 118.340 Honda Chip Ganassi Racing
10 12 Will Power 1m08.1606s 0.5281 0.0787 20 22 118.203 Chevy Team Penske
11 45 Christian Lundgaard 1m08.1637s 0.5312 0.0031 28 28 118.198 Honda Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
12 28 Marcus Ericsson 1m08.1763s 0.5438 0.0126 17 22 118.176 Honda Andretti Global
13 78 Agustin Canapino 1m08.1778s 0.5453 0.0015 27 27 118.173 Chevy Juncos Hollinger Racing
14 20 Christian Rasmussen 1m08.2455s 0.6130 0.0677 30 32 118.056 Chevy Ed Carpenter Racing
15 21 Rinus VeeKay 1m08.2685s 0.6360 0.0230 13 15 118.016 Chevy Ed Carpenter Racing
16 77 Romain Grosjean 1m08.3632s 0.7307 0.0947 22 25 117.853 Chevy Juncos Hollinger Racing
17 15 Graham Rahal 1m08.4733s 0.8408 0.1101 27 28 117.663 Honda Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
18 9 Scott Dixon 1m08.4801s 0.8476 0.0068 24 24 117.652 Honda Chip Ganassi Racing
19 14 Santino Ferrucci 1m08.6541s 1.0216 0.1740 25 25 117.354 Chevy AJ Foyt Enterprises
20 4 Kyffin Simpson 1m08.6543s 1.0218 0.0002 34 35 117.353 Honda Chip Ganassi Racing
21 8 Linus Lundqvist 1m08.7072s 1.0747 0.0529 28 33 117.263 Honda Chip Ganassi Racing
22 41 Sting Ray Robb 1m08.7834s 1.1509 0.0762 23 23 117.133 Chevy AJ Foyt Enterprises
23 60 Felix Rosenqvist 1m08.8913s 1.2588 0.1079 22 25 116.949 Honda Meyer Shank Racing
24 18 Jack Harvey 1m08.9742s 1.3417 0.0829 21 23 116.809 Honda Dale Coyne Racing
25 66 David Malukas 1m09.0206s 1.3881 0.0464 21 22 116.730 Honda Meyer Shank Racing
26 51 Luca Ghiotto 1m09.5955s 1.9630 0.5749 14 15 115.766 Honda Dale Coyne Racing
27 6 Nolan Siegel 1m10.0019s 2.3694 0.4064 13 17 115.094 Chevy Arrow McLaren