DETROIT – Two drivers that need to turn around disappointing seasons were the two fastest in Friday’s late evening practice session for the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix.
Will Power, the 2014 NTT IndyCar Series champion and 2018 Indianapolis 500 winner, was the fastest driver in practice with a fast time of 1:17.2768 around the 14-turn, 2.35-mile temporary street course on Detroit’s Belle Isle in the No. 12 Chevrolet for Team Penske. That was a speed of 109.477 mph.
Sebastien Bourdais, who drives the No. 14 Chevrolet for A.J. Foyt Racing, ran a fast time of 1:17.4291 (109.261 mph).
The 25 drivers who participated in practice had to deal with high temperatures and humidity that made for an exhausting practice session.
“I’m going to go stick my head in a cooler,” Power said after climbing out of his hot cockpit. “It was massively disappointing at the Indy 500. I’m determined to have a good weekend, qualify at the front for both races and have a shot at the end. Chevy has a good engine, and we’ll see how we do on Saturday in qualifying.”
Pato O’Ward was third at 1:17.5143 (109.141 mph) in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet followed by six-time NTT IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon at 1:17.6178 (108.996 mph) in the No. 9 PNC Bank Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing.
“I forgot how bumpy this place is, but it has a lot of character,” O’Ward said. “It’s going to be hot. Really hot. And physical.”
Alexander Rossi rounded out the top-five at 1:17.6587 (108.938 mph) in the No. 27 Honda for Andretti Autosport.
“It’s hot, it’s really hot, but it’s the same for everyone,” Rossi said. “With the screen, there is always a question mark when you come back. It’s tough on these weekends when you only have one practice session.
“But I love this track. I’m thrilled to be back on this track. It’s a wild ride. I believe we have a bit more to come in the car and it was a positive session. Short, though, but we have some more left in the car.”
Jimmie Johnson brought out the red flag 14 minutes into the session when his car stopped on course in turn three. At the same time, rookie driver Scott McLaughlin, who had just turned the fastest lap time in practice, spun and crashed into the turn five tire barrier.
“I was just trying to find the limits of the car and did a lazy spin,” Johnson said. “It was one of those things that rookies do, and I will learn from those mistakes and get better.”
It was Johnson’s first time back in an Indy car in a month. The seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion was last in the 25-car practice session at 1:22.7353 (102.254 mph) in the No. 48 Carvana/American Legion Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing.
“Thankfully, I tested at Road American last week, so I knocked the rust off there,” Johnson said. “I’ve done a lot of sim work at home and at HPD and nothing got me ready for the experience here. I’m just floored how technical the track is, how rough it is, how little grip there is, and I have a huge challenge ahead of myself this weekend.
“The heat wasn’t bad, but the implications of the heat will show up in Sunday’s race.”
Saturday’s qualifications are set from 11 to 11:45 a.m., which will set the starting lineup for race one on Saturday. That includes two rounds of knockout qualifying for 10 minutes each, which will be televised on NBCSN and Peacock Premium.
The first race of the weekend doubleheader begins at 2:05 p.m. Eastern Time Saturday.
Another round of qualifications is set for Sunday at 9 a.m., with the second race of the doubleheader scheduled for Noon Sunday.
Will Power topped Friday's NTT IndyCar Series practice in Detroit, Mich. (Al Steinberg Photo)