MADISON, Ill. — David Malukas, who earlier this week announced he had signed a multi-year contract with A.J. Foyt Racing beginning in 2025, still has some unfinished business to do with Meyer Shank Racing.
The 23-year-old driver from Chicago was the fastest driver in Friday morning’s opening practice at World Wide Technology (Ill.) Raceway with a fast lap of 178.830 miles per hour in the No. 66 Meyer Shank Honda at the 1.25-mile oval.
“The car is definitely on the edge, we are trying to find the limit and we definitely found the limit,” Malukas said. “That is what we were trying to do, we wanted to find the limit before qualifying starts.
“We wanted to try to get some clear track, so we feel very confident going into the qualifying session.”
Colton Herta, who won IndyCar’s most recent race on the streets of Toronto on July 21, was second at 178.411 mph in the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda. Scott McLaughlin of Team Penske was third in the No. 3 Chevrolet followed by teammate Will Power’s No. 17 Verizon Chevrolet at 177.785 mph.
Alexander Rossi, the NTT IndyCar Series points leader, rounded out the top five at 177.631 mph in the No. 10 Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing.
Alexander Rossi returned from a thumb injury that kept him out of the race at Toronto and was 13th at 176.077 mph in the No. 7 Chevrolet for Arrow McLaren.
“It felt good,” Rossi said. “I’m very thankful we had that gap in the schedule because it helped heal.”
IndyCar drivers return to the oval later today for qualifications for Saturday evening’s Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway.
A second practice is scheduled for Friday night, including high-line running to help improve the group on the oval located near St. Louis, Mo.
Palou enters the race weekend with a 49-point lead over Power with five races remaining in the 2024 season.