ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden continues to rebound from last Sunday’s first lap crash at Barber Motorsports Park during the season-opener for the NTT IndyCar Series.
Newgarden, Friday’s fastest driver in practice, was also the fastest driver in Saturday morning’s practice session for Sunday’s Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
The two-time IndyCar champion turned a fast lap of 1:00.0622 around the 1.8-mile, 14-turn temporary street course on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla.
Andretti Autosport’s Alexander Rossi was second quick in the No. 27 AutoNation Honda at 1:00.1749.
Newgarden has won this event the past two years, including last October’s season finale.
“We had good race pace at the end of the race last year, but I think we have a better car for qualifying,” Newgarden said. “The car feels faster. Fingers crossed; we hope we have a good car.
“To have 24 cars on the track, it’s hard in practice. People were getting in the way. You can’t get mad at them because I was getting in their way, too. I think it will be easier in qualifying because you will cut that in half each session.”
Jack Harvey of Meyer-Shank Racing was third at 1:00.219 in the No. 60 Honda followed by Andretti Autosport driver Colton Herta’s 1:00.2216.
Chip Ganassi Racing driver Marcus Ericsson rounded out the top five at 1:00.2219 in the No. 8 Huski Chocolate Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing.
Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and IndyCar Series rookie Jimmie Johnson was the slowest driver of the 24 in practice with a lap at 1:00.3598. Several times in practice he tried to get a flying lap, but could not after getting caught in traffic.
In fact, several drivers complained that traffic will be an issue in both practice and qualifications, which are scheduled for 1:45 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday.