FORT WORTH, Texas — Scott McLaughlin nearly won last year’s NTT IndyCar Series race at Texas Motor Speedway before he was passed in the final turn of the final lap by Team Penske teammate Josef Newgarden.
McLaughlin returned to the site of that bitter disappointment and proved he still has the speed to contend for victory at the 1.54-mile. The Team Penske driver was the fastest of Saturday’s early morning practice session with a top speed of 223.747 miles per hour in the No. 3 Chevrolet in practice for Sunday’s PPG 375.
He was also the fastest in 10-lap average.
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“I was a little bit bamboozled at the start of the run,” McLaughlin said. “It was a lot more slippery. Slippier than a pot full of pudding in turn one.
“We got through that kerfuffle and the Chevy feels really good. We are in a really good spot.”
Practice began at 8 a.m. local time with the glare of the sun shining brightly in turn one with cold track temperatures and shadows creating ideal grip for the racing machines.
Arrow McLaren driver Pato O’Ward of Monterrey, Mexico was second at 223.518 mph followed by teammate Alexander Rossi’s 223.468 mph. Andretti Autosport driver Colton Herta was fourth at 223.318 mph followed by fellow Andretti driver Devlin DeFrancesco’s 223.225 mph.
Both McLaren drivers are in Chevrolets and the two Andretti drivers are in Hondas.
Defending PPG 375 winner Josef Newgarden of Team Penske was ninth at 222.484 mph.
Qualifications are set for 12:15 p.m. Eastern Time Saturday.