INDIANAPOLIS — Colton Herta was the fastest of the day at Indianapolis 500 Fast Friday, but 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kyle Larson proved he can be a threat when it comes to speed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
IndyCar allows the teams to crank up the boost beginning Friday and for the remainder of the weekend, which produces 100 additional horsepower.
The result at the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway was the fastest speeds on Fast Friday in nearly 30 years.
Herta’s best lap was 234.974 mph in the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda. The Andretti Global driver turned 185 laps on Friday.
“I’ll take it,” he said. “Happy with what the program we were able to get through with. Seemed to be lacking a little bit of speed I think on our own. Obviously, the fast lap was a tow lap. Nice to be quickest but doesn’t really mean much for qualifying.
“I think we have a little bit of speed to find, unfortunately, but I think there’s a chance if we do everything right, we should be able to make the Fast 12.”
This year’s IndyCar is lighter than in the past as IndyCar prepares for the debut of the hybrid assist unit that will be added to the car in the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio July 5-7.
The byproduct is the lighter car can be faster at the speedway.
“It’s very similar, very similar,” Herta said. “The only thing that feels different is the tire deg is a lot less. Obviously, kind of a different compound for the left sides that Firestone brought this year. So, a little bit of a difference.
“They are supposed to last longer, but I wasn’t expecting kind of this level of deg to happen, or lack of deg to happen. So that’s interesting. But that’s the only difference. The weight feels very similar.”
Kyle Larson, of Hendrick Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team, was second in the No. 17 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet with a fast lap of 234.271 mph.
“Today went a lot smoother, just more so as planned, where yesterday did not,” Larson explained. “I thought with the weather being good, I would get lots of laps, but did not. Was pretty frustrated with things yesterday.
“Today, it all went smooth and was good to just get some reps with the boost and feeling all that. Yeah, happy with how it all went.”
Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden, the winner of the Indianapolis 500 in 2023, was third fastest at 234.260 mph in the No. 2 Shell Chevrolet.
“It’s always interesting to see how this shapes up,” Newgarden explained. “Friday is one deal, and then tomorrow is going to be where it really comes together and you’re going to see where the field truly stacks up. But I think today is a good indicator, and we feel like we’re in a decent spot. We’re definitely in the mix, which is great to see. We’ve been working the last four years to try and get back into the mix in qualifying.
“I’m really proud of the team. I think they’ve built fast cars. That’s what happens when you’re quick in qualifying here. It’s about a team effort and building fast cars. It doesn’t matter how good you are. You can’t will the car faster through ability. It is a team effort at Indianapolis.
“The race is one deal, but qualifying really shows the true nature of the build quality. I think everybody at our shop should be really proud. They’ve done a good job over the off-season, and we’re excited for tomorrow.”
Teammate Scott McLaughlin was fourth fastest at 234.102 mph in the No. 3 Pennzoil Chevrolet for Team Penske. With Arrow McLaren’s Alexander Rossi, the winner of the 100th Indianapolis 500 in 2016, rounded out the top five at 234.006 mph in the No. 7 Chevrolet.
Of course, single lap speeds aren’t what’s important this weekend. It’s the four-lap averages that count because all qualification attempts are four-lap averages around the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Saturday’s qualifications will determined the Fast 12 that will advance into Sunday’s qualifications for the Pole. Positions 11-30 will be locked into the field by Saturday’s qualifications. The last four cars will battle for the final three positions in Last Chance qualifying on Sunday.
The Fast 12 will be reduced to the Fast Six. The Fast Six will then determine the Indy 500 pole winner in that session.
“I’ve never felt like a favorite here, and I don’t know that I ever would,” Newgarden said. “There are so many good-quality teams nowadays. This race has changed from where it was 20 years ago. Just to speak recently. Certainly, changes from 30, 40 years ago.
“I think you could really choose who had the fast car throughout the month or who had the fastest cars.
“Qualifying is still one thing. It shows general car speed. But you can’t ever get ahead of yourself here. That’s been my experience the last 12 years running at this place that stuff surprises you. There’s so many good quality teams and drivers that I just don’t think you can ever feel too confident and comfortable.
“I think we’re in a good spot. There’s no doubt. I just wouldn’t consider ourselves a favorite. I think we’ve just shown up prepared and ready, and now we need to execute tomorrow and Sunday.”