IndyCar News: McLaughlin leads in Barber Practice 1

Scott McLaughlin led the opening practice session for the IndyCar weekend at Barber Motorsports Park, posting a blistering lap of 1:08.0903 (121.603 mph) in the No. 3 Odyssey Battery Team Penske Chevrolet. The New Zealander has been in the top spot for all Practice 1s on street and road courses.

McLaughlin’s teammate, David Malukas, was second fastest with a lap of 1:08.1345. in his No 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet.

Kyle Kirkwood continued his strong early-season form with the third-quickest time in the No 27 JM Bullion/Gold.com Andretti Global 27 Honda with a lap of 1:08.1462.

Alex Palou put his No 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda into the fourth fastest spot with a lap of 1:08.1743.

Pato O’Ward, driving the No 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, rounded out the top five with a lap of 1:08.1883.

Chevrolet cars filled three of the top five spots, showing early strength on the 2.38-mile road course. Josef Newgarden placed sixth in the No. 2 PPG Team Penske Chevy. Marcus Armstrong impressed in the No. 66 Honda with seventh overall. Scott Dixon added to the Honda party placing eighth.

The session ran cleanly with all 25 entries completing at least six laps, McLaughlin leading the way with 16. Rookie drivers Nolan Siegel, Kyffin Simpson, Louis Foster, and others turned competitive laps, while Mick Schumacher ended the session 25th as he continues to adapt to the series.

Practice 2 is scheduled for 10:05 am tomorrow, as teams prepare for qualifying on Saturday afternoon.

Barber Practice 1 Results

POS	NO.	DRIVER	BEHIND	GAP	MFR	TIME	SPEED	LAPS
1	3	S. McLaughlin	0.0000	0.0000	Chevy	1m08.0903s	121.603	16
2	12	D. Malukas	0.0442	0.0442	Chevy	1m08.1345s	121.524	16
3	27	K. Kirkwood	0.0559	0.0117	Honda	1m08.1462s	121.503	14
4	10	A. Palou	0.0840	0.0281	Honda	1m08.1743s	121.453	13
5	5	P. O’Ward	0.0980	0.0140	Chevy	1m08.1883s	121.428	12
6	2	J. Newgarden	0.1825	0.0845	Chevy	1m08.2728s	121.278	15
7	66	M. Armstrong	0.3340	0.1515	Honda	1m08.4243s	121.010	17
8	9	S. Dixon	0.3500	0.0160	Honda	1m08.4403s	120.981	14
9	7	C. Lundgaard	0.4286	0.0786	Chevy	1m08.5189s	120.843	15
10	15	G. Rahal	0.4880	0.0594	Honda	1m08.5783s	120.738	15
11	18	R. Grosjean	0.5319	0.0439	Honda	1m08.6222s	120.661	16
12	76	R. VeeKay	0.5343	0.0024	Chevy	1m08.6246s	120.656	14
13	26	W. Power	0.5831	0.0488	Honda	1m08.6734s	120.571	15
14	60	F. Rosenqvist	0.5887	0.0056	Honda	1m08.6790s	120.561	13
15	14	S. Ferrucci	0.7217	0.1330	Chevy	1m08.8120s	120.328	15
16	6	N. Siegel	0.7400	0.0183	Chevy	1m08.8303s	120.296	12
17	4	C. Collet	0.7580	0.0180	Chevy	1m08.8483s	120.264	16
18	8	K. Simpson	0.7758	0.0178	Honda	1m08.8661s	120.233	16
19	28	M. Ericsson	0.8571	0.0813	Honda	1m08.9474s	120.092	18
20	20	A. Rossi	0.8914	0.0343	Chevy	1m08.9817s	120.032	6
21	45	L. Foster	0.9248	0.0334	Honda	1m09.0151s	119.974	13
22	21	C. Rasmussen	1.0610	0.1362	Chevy	1m09.1513s	119.737	13
23	19	D. Hauger	1.3074	0.2464	Honda	1m09.3977s	119.312	17
24	77	S. Robb	1.4780	0.1706	Chevy	1m09.5683s	119.020	13
25	47	M. Schumacher	1.9140	0.4360	Honda	1m10.0043s	118.278	16

Lucille Dust reporting live from Barber Motorsports Park