Josef Newgarden was fastest in training on the World Wide Technology Raceway on Saturday. (Al Steinberg photo)
MADISON, Ill. – Seeing Team Penske driver Josef Newgarden at the top of the speed sheets after an NTT IndyCar Series practice session is not uncommon. He is a two-time IndyCar champion and one of the top names in the series.
The driver directly below him on the speed list for the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 on Saturday night is a bit of a surprise as he hasn’t been on the radar for a few months. It’s Team Penske’s teammate and rookie driver Scott McLaughlin, the three-time Australian Supercars Champion who is in his first year as an Indy driver.
Newgarden had the fastest speed during Saturday afternoon’s 90-minute practice session with a 178.774 mph lap in the No. 2 Chevrolet of the World Wide Technology Raceway. McLaughlin was next at 177,669 mph in the No. 3 Team Penske Chevrolet.
“It’s always nice to be at the top, but I felt like I was close in the last few races, we just didn’t make it in qualifying,” said McLaughlin. “I focus on qualifying well and getting it going. It’s been a season of ups and downs in the last few races and that’s mainly due to my performance in qualifying.
“For me there are expectations of myself that I have to meet. I think in terms of my speed and what I do in the races, I put together decent races; You just won’t get rewarded for qualifying that far back.
“I’m probably on part of where I should be at this point in my rookie season.”
McLaughlin loves the ovals because they are “different”.
“I love the ovals,” he said. “I want more of it. It is exciting. I’ve always loved trying new things and I was so excited to hit the ovals. I’ve just really studied it and I’m in control of how we fared on the track. “
Andretti Autosport driver Ryan Hunter-Reay finished third with 177,541 mph in the No. 28 DHL Honda. Graham Rahal was fourth in the No. 15 Honda with 177,473 mph, followed by Scott Dixon’s No. 9 PNC Bank Honda with 177,463 mph.
Former Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean starts his first start on an oval. The former Haas F1 driver, who has rookie season with Dale Coyne Racing with RWR, was 11th fastest at 176,608 mph in the No. 51 Honda.
“I really hope Romain can ride the Indy 500 and I hope he can ride Superspeedways because I think he’ll really enjoy it,” said McLaughlin.
Qualifications are scheduled for 5 p.m. Eastern Time, with the race receiving the green flag at 8:45 p.m. ET. The Bommarito Automotive Group 500 will be televised on NBCSN.
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