ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — It was the primary day of college for IndyCar on Friday and Kyle Kirkwood of Andretti International raced to the pinnacle of the category.
The motive force from Jupiter, Fla., drove throughout the state from the Atlantic Coast to Tampa Bay for this weekend’s Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg — the season opening race for the 2025 NTT IndyCar Collection season.
He then scorched the 14-turn, 1.8-mile momentary road circuit at 1:00.4409 for a pace of 107.212 mph within the No. 27 Chili’s Honda for Andretti International – the quickest general driver in Friday’s follow session.
IndyCar follow periods on Friday are cut up into two teams adopted by one other follow with all automobiles on observe.
“I feel we had been on this place final yr the place we had been fast out of the gate,” Kirkwood mentioned. “We now have to proceed that.
“Good day for the Chili’s Honda. First official session of the yr, we’ve led. Extraordinarily pleased with that. Completely happy that we all know our automobiles are nonetheless fast round road programs.
“All optimistic.”
Three-time and back-to-back IndyCar Collection champion Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing was second within the No. 10 DHL Honda at 1:00.6004 (106.930 mph). Group Penske’s Scott McLaughlin was third quickest within the No. 3 Chevrolet for Group Penske at 1:01.0002 (106.279 mph) earlier than he crashed in the course of the last follow session.
McLaughlin’s No. 3 Chevrolet made arduous left-side contact into the barrier in Flip 3. The automobile sustained a suspension failure and stopped on the right track. McLaughlin climbed from the automobile with out help from the AMR IndyCar Security Group.
He was seen and launched from the IndyCar Medical Unit.
“It was a mistake on my half,” McLaughlin mentioned. “I used to be slightly extensive on the exit of Flip 3 and there’s a little bit of a bump there. That put me wider than I wished to be and into the wall.”
Andretti International’s Colton Herta was fourth within the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda at 1:001.0603 (106.125 mph) and defending race winner Pato O’Ward rounded out the highest 5 at 1:01.1161 (106.028 mph) within the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet.
Twenty-seven automobile/driver combos practiced on Friday.
“It was totally different, simply in comparison with final yr,” Group Penske driver Josef Newgarden mentioned after follow. “We didn’t have the hybrid right here might be the largest year-over-year change.
“Then the tires have taken an iteration, if you’ll. It was a identified factor. We’ve been engaged on this within the low season. Firestone has been fairly clear and open that we’re searching for a distinct combine between the first and the alternate. They positively have totally different properties to what they’d final yr. Lots to dive in.
“There wasn’t a variety of laps. I ran pre-sim laps on the primaries after which I did that one run on the alternate. Felt actually good on the primaries, so-so on the alternates. I didn’t actually do an excellent lap in any respect. Sort of perceive why. We’re going to select aside every thing tonight and attempt to be in a giant spot for tomorrow.
“Good to be again. What an awesome ambiance at present. I feel St. Pete has sometimes felt like this even on a Friday, however at present seemed actually, actually nice.
“Good to be again on the observe.”
Newgarden was the primary to the checkered flag in final yr’s Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg forward of O’Ward. Six weeks later, nevertheless, Newgarden’s win was disqualified for manipulating the staff’s “push-to-pass” system.
“I feel there’s positively motivation for us to do nicely,” Newgarden mentioned. “That appears apparent. I received’t shrink back from saying that.
“Positively we need to come out right here and do an awesome job this weekend. It might be very gratifying to win the race.
“I don’t assume that must be our focus,” Newgarden mentioned referring to final yr’s DQ. “I don’t see how this yr is totally different. Yearly I present up at St. Pete it’s about placing up a stable outcome on the board. I actually imply that. I’m not simply attempting to be poetic.
“You must get a outcome on the board to begin the yr and you bought to begin pondering championship immediately. If we will come out of this weekend with an excellent outcome, a clear automobile, I feel that it’s going to be a win.
“Will we finally need to have a dominant day, be out entrance, make a press release? Completely. I hope that occurs. I’m not going to attempt to pressure that. I feel we have to get what we will this weekend, what we’re able to, transfer on to the following and have a extremely stable yr.
“That’s extra the place our focus is true now.”
IndyCar is again on observe Saturday for a follow from 10:15-11:15 a.m. Japanese Time. Qualifying is about for two:30 to 4 p.m. that includes three rounds of knockout qualifying culminating within the Firestone Quick Six.
