The third day of practice for the Indy 500 radiated an air of urgency that set it apart from the previous sessions. Tensions ran high among drivers as they pushed their limits, striving to find that elusive edge on the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The intensity culminated in a series of fast laps, with Josef Newgarden of Team Penske clocking a top speed of 226.632 mph, slightly below the fastest times recorded earlier in the week. Nevertheless, his performance showcased that both Newgarden and Team Penske remain formidable competitors, setting the standard for the rest of the field. Following closely was Scott Dixon from Chip Ganassi Racing, who secured the second spot with a speed of 225.457 mph. Conor Daly from Juncos Hollinger Racing also made a strong impression, timing in third at 224.893 mph.
The speed charts were rounded out by notable drivers, with Pato O’Ward taking fourth place, Ryan Hunter-Reay in fifth, Alex Palou in sixth, Colton Herta in seventh, Christian Rasmussen in eighth, David Malukas in ninth, and Scott McLaughlin finishing tenth.
Reflecting on the day’s practice, Newgarden expressed satisfaction with the team’s efforts and preparation. “Pretty solid week so far,” he commented, emphasizing the importance of not getting ahead of themselves as they looked forward to Fast Friday. He also noted the forecasted heat for the following day, indicating plans to adapt their strategies accordingly as temperatures were expected to fluctuate significantly over the weekend.
Colton Herta, representing Andretti Global, was also in the mix, showcasing the competitive spirit of the day. However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for every driver. Santino Ferrucci, who had been vocal about his frustrations earlier in the week, continued to struggle with his car’s performance. In a moment of impatience, he found himself penalized for crossing the white line with all four tires while attempting to pass Devlin DeFrancesco in the pit exit lane, resulting in an immediate drive-through penalty.
The addition of hybrid power units has introduced new complexities to the cars, affecting their balance and handling. Drivers like Graham Rahal expressed their concerns, indicating that something felt off with their vehicles as they grappled with the added weight of the hybrid systems. Both Ferrucci and Rahal finished the day at the bottom of the speed chart, failing to average speeds exceeding 220 mph.
Amid the competitive atmosphere, bold maneuvers in the draft highlighted the drivers’ courage and skill. However, not all actions were well-received. Nolan Siegel did not hold back his frustration after a late overtaking maneuver by Christian Rasmussen forced him to lift off the throttle, calling Rasmussen an “idiot” in a moment of exasperation.
In a noteworthy moment during the practice session, Kyle Larson, who ranked 17th on the speed charts with a speed of 222.222 mph, was determined to tackle “The Double.” He had the unique experience of witnessing the first on-track incident of the week. With just under two hours remaining in practice, Rasmussen’s car lost grip at the exit of Turn 2, leading to a dramatic spin. Remarkably, he managed to avoid a significant crash, only grazing the outside wall with his right-rear tire.
After the incident, Rasmussen shared his thoughts on the team’s performance. “I’ve been getting understeer through Turn 2 all day, especially with the current wind direction,” he noted. He explained that the unexpected loss of control had surprised him, as he had been managing the car well thus far. “I brushed the wall with the right rear. I mean, shoot, it’s what happens. Obviously, not where we wanted to be, but I think we have fast cars around here, so I still think it’s a positive day. Now we got that out of the way, so now we move on.”
Rasmussen also pointed out that he was on tires that had completed 31 laps, indicating that the wear might have contributed to his car’s handling issues. Despite the minor damage sustained, he was optimistic about returning to the track before the session concluded, which he successfully did.
As the final hour of practice unfolded, the atmosphere shifted to a more subdued pace compared to previous days. Fewer cars were on track, with most teams focusing on qualifying simulations. This provided an opportunity for Newgarden to reclaim the top spot in non-tow speeds, reaching an impressive 222.555 mph, thus ending Kyle Kirkwood’s streak of leading the non-tow speeds for three consecutive days. Kirkwood finished second in this category, followed closely by McLaughlin in third.
Kyffin Simpson emerged as a standout performer by completing the most laps of the day, clocking in at 119 laps before the session wrapped up.
Looking ahead, Fast Friday promises to bring even faster speeds as teams and drivers prepare to apply the boost in anticipation of the crucial qualifying sessions over the weekend. As the competition heats up, all eyes will be on how the teams adapt to the changing conditions and whether any surprises await as they strive for pole position in the iconic Indy 500.
