Indy 500 Carb Day was marked by a blend of high-speed promise and dramatic setbacks, with Josef Newgarden topping the time charts despite facing a daunting challenge on race day.
The final practice session at Indianapolis Motor Speedway lasted two hours, providing all 33 IndyCar drivers with a critical opportunity to simulate race conditions, test pit stop procedures, and refine their cars’ handling in traffic.
Two-time defending Indianapolis 500 champion Josef Newgarden delivered a statement performance by clocking the fastest lap of the session at 225.687 mph, demonstrating both his skill and the potential of his Team Penske Chevrolet.
Newgarden’s achievement was particularly notable given the adversity he faces: a penalty for illegal modifications discovered during qualifying means he will start from the 32nd position, the second-to-last spot on the grid.
No driver has ever won the Indianapolis 500 from such a deep starting position but the 34-year old’s pace on Carb Day suggests he has both the car and the determination to challenge that statistic. His confidence was evident as he expressed satisfaction with the car’s setup and his team’s preparation.
Takuma Sato posted the second-fastest time at 225.415 mph, underscoring his reputation as a formidable oval racer. However, Sato’s session was interrupted when he slowed on the backstretch and had to be towed in for an engine inspection, raising questions about his car’s reliability for Sunday’s race.
Scott Dixon was third fastest at 225.200 mph, methodically logging laps and focusing on race-day balance and consistency.
Devlin DeFrancesco, driving for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, enjoyed his strongest day of the month after securing the fourth-fastest time and expressing optimism about his car’s handling and competitiveness.
DeFrancesco’s progress was particularly satisfying for his team as he reported that longstanding issues with mid-corner understeer had been resolved, positioning him as a dark horse for the race.
Will Power rounded out the top five with a best lap of 224.419 mph. Like his Team Penske teammate Newgarden, Power will start from the back row but his speed on Carb Day suggests he could mount a significant charge through the field.
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Final Indy 500 practice marred by incidents
Indy 500 Carb Day was punctuated by several mechanical issues and incidents that underscored the unforgiving nature of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Graham Rahal’s day came to a premature end when his engine began to smoke, forcing him to stop on track and necessitating an engine change. Rahal who has endured a challenging month, lamented the lost track time but remained optimistic about his car’s improved handling particularly in Turn 2, which he identified as crucial for race-day performance.
Ryan Hunter-Reay experienced the most dramatic incident of the day when his Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Chevrolet caught fire exiting the pit lane.
Hunter-Reay managed to escape unharmed but the team faced a significant rebuild effort ahead of the race. He voiced concerns about the new hybrid system, as his teammate had experienced a similar issue earlier in the week.
Rookie pole-sitter Robert Shwartzman spent extended periods in the pit box as his Prema Racing team worked to improve the car’s performance in traffic.
Meanwhile Colton Herta who switched to a backup car after a crash last Saturday, struggled with brake problems, limiting his ability to test long-run pace and race conditions.
Other notable incidents included Ed Carpenter’s need to replace his car’s hybrid system and Alexander Rossi’s early exit from practice due to a water leak.
Conor Daly, a local favorite, described his session as “nerve-wracking” after his team decided to retire the car early for a thorough inspection, though he managed to complete 59 laps and post the 10th fastest speed.
Kyle Larson, the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion, drew significant attention as he continued preparations for his attempt at “The Double”—competing in both the Indy 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.
Larson who will start from the seventh row, reported satisfaction with his car’s balance and adaptability in traffic.
Beyond the headline performances and mechanical woes, Indy 500 Carb Day also featured the traditional Pit Stop Challenge, a fan-favorite event that tests the speed and precision of pit crews.
Newgarden’s crew emerged victorious, securing their third crown in the event and providing a morale boost ahead of Sunday’s race.
