Josef Newgarden throws down the gauntlet, with a blistering session at the first practice session of the IndyCar Bommarito Automotive Group 500.
A rainy start
The first practice session of the IndyCar weekend is delayed, as the skies above Saint Louis opened and drenched the track in rain. The likes of Josef Newgarden and other top drivers wait to take to the track.
After 2.5 hours of delay, we finally had cars on track at Gateway as the skies clear and practice begins,
The early laps
Racing gets underway at the World Wide Technology Raceway. Currently, as championship leader Alex Palou sets the early pace with a 170.705. Rebounding, Palou is looking for a better result after a DNF at the Streets of Detroit.
Arrow Mclaren’s Pato O’ward quickly finds his way to the top of the timing screen with a blistering 175.414. O’Ward is coming off two strong back to back performances in Indianapolis and Detroit, with a 3rd and 7th respectively.
Alexander Rossi has a dangerous wiggle early on in the session, as he touches the curb exiting Turns 3 and 4, but a quick save sees him keep it out of the wall.
The halfway mark
Once again, the green flag waves after a brief yellow for debris on track. We have reached the halfway point of Practice 1. Now, the top 3 runners in the session are Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden, Andretti Global’s Colton Herta, and Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward. They all have laps in the high 170’s.
With the track rubbering in and constantly evolving, Josef Newgarden sets the fastest lap with a blazing 178.243 mph. Newgarden is very comfortable at this track, being the winningest drivers with 5 wins at the track.
IndyCar Practice 1 comes to a close, Newgarden looking strong
As a very delayed session comes to a close, some cars bolt on a fresh set of Firestone tyres. They will attempt try to make a few more flying laps around the 1.25 mile track. Session front runner, Josef Newgarden, calls it early with 10 minutes remaining in the session. The Team Penske driver seems very confident in the laps he’s set. He seems to feel good about the data he has gathered for his team.
As the checkered flag waves on Practice 1 at the World Wide Technology Raceway, Josef Newgarden has thrown down the gauntlet, with a strong finish at the top of the timing sheet. Rounding out the rest of the Top 3 are the #3 of Scott McLaughlin and the #4 of David Malukas.
