Two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Josef Newgarden faced an unexpected delay on Wednesday before he could begin his testing laps on the iconic track. Meanwhile, Colton Herta took advantage of the offline time by squeezing in some golf at the Brickyard course, donning his fire suit as he played. Other notable drivers, including Kyle Larson, Marco Andretti, and Takuma Sato, postponed their refresher sessions until late in the afternoon.
Eventually, the schedule fell into place. All four newcomers to the Indianapolis 500 successfully completed the rookie orientation program, and all veteran drivers who needed refreshers were given clearance. Amidst the delays, former Indy champion Scott Dixon clocked the fastest lap at an impressive 225.182 mph on the famous 2.5-mile oval.
Newgarden, who posted the second-fastest speed of 225.125 mph, expressed his enthusiasm, saying he loves being at the event, especially after his recent successes. However, the day didn’t start smoothly for the 32 IndyCar drivers who hoped to test how the hybrid system would interact with the changing weight distribution and its effects on performance at the series fastest track.
A connectivity issue postponed the initial schedule, which set aside separate testing windows for regular drivers, rookies, and refresher participants. To accommodate for lost time, officials shortened the first and third test sessions but kept the original duration for the remaining groups, extending testing until 7 p.m. Meanwhile, a few dedicated fans watched from the infield and the stands.
As the green flag waved at 12:45 p.m., the drivers began their tests on a day filled with optimal conditions–sunshine, mild temperatures, and calm wind offered a perfect setting for racing. Kyle Larson, who last year experienced racing’s Memorial Day weekend double, found the session beneficial despite feeling a bit rusty.
Larson, who plans to tackle the Memorial Day double again this year, acknowledged he is contemplating saying farewell to IndyCar racing, possibly after 2026.
Throughout the season, the series has encountered challenges with establishing reliable radio and data communications due to the new production truck. These issues have also affected broadcasts. Nonetheless, officials clarified that Wednesday’s connectivity problem was unrelated, indicating the issue stemmed from upgraded software that affected timing, scoring, and communication.
Helio Castroneves, a four-time Indy champion, expressed relief when the delay was resolved, noting that it didn’t hamper the program severely.
Testing didn’t proceed without hiccups. Both Jack Harvey and Santino Ferrucci experienced stoppages early on, requiring extra caution. Larson suspected an issue with his car, and Rahal’s vehicle grazed the wall near the session’s end.
As the testing continues into Thursday, officials are set to increase the boost, promising even faster speeds as drivers gain confidence on the track.
In upcoming events, the IndyCar road race in Indianapolis is scheduled for May 10, with the Indianapolis 500 qualifications taking place on May 17-18. The much-anticipated race itself is set for May 25, promising another dramatic chapter in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s storied history.