12 July 2024 00:00 (UTC)
"Track position is going to be incredibly important"
Let's run some oval laps!
If you're anything like us, you waited eagerly all day for cars to hit the track at Iowa Speedway for the first and only practice of the doubleheader race weekend. And oh, did they give us a show. In fact, very fitting for a race weekend full of concerts, high speeds and double the action!
Friday's on-track session kicked off with 30 minutes of high-line practice, followed by an hour and a half of oval running and qualifying sims.
Pato O'Ward led the team, reaching the checkered flag in P3, followed closely by Alexander Rossi in P5. Nolan Siegel felt strong in the No. 6 NTT DATA Arrow McLaren Chevy, finishing P16 after battling traffic in the later half of the session during qualifying sims.
Hear from Pato, Nolan and Alexander and Team Principal Gavin Ward ahead of Saturday's action-packed schedule.
Race Date | Saturday, July 13 & Sunday, July 14 |
Round | 11 & 12 of 17 |
Total Laps | Race 1 & 2: 250 Laps |
Total Race Distance | 223.5 miles / 359.69 km |
Length | 0.875 miles / 1.41 km |
Number of Turns | 4 |
Practice 1 | P3 | 184.154 mph |
Total Laps | 111 Laps |
"It's good to be back at this track. It's going to be a physical two races. I'm looking forward to the night race tomorrow. We had a session today, and it's a bit of shame that the compound we're going to race with I don't think we'll be able to race on the second lane. That's a bit of a bummer, or at least that's what it seems like right now. Hopefully it's not just a one-lane show, and we can get it working so we can give all the fans a good, entertaining weekend."
Practice 1 | P5 | 183.784 mph |
Total Laps | 102 Laps |
"There was a lot to get done in one session, but considering all of the changes, I think the No. 7 VELO Arrow McLaren Chevrolet was very good. Unfortunately, I think we're limited to one lane, and there was no tire degradation. From our side and the things that we can control, the car is good in race running and in the qualifying sims that we did. Track position is going to be incredibly important."
Practice 1 | P16 | 181.189 mph |
Total Laps | 80 Laps |
"We're feeling good, and we learned quite a bit from that session. We rolled off very strong and made a lot of progress. Unfortunately for us, we had traffic on the qualifying sim runs, so we never really got a proper run in. I'm very happy with the balance of the car, though, and I think this is the most competitive we've been. I think the No. 6 NTT DATA Arrow McLaren Chevrolet crew has a great shot for a very good starting position in both races, and I think we'll have a strong race car for the race, too. I'm feeling psyched and pumped for the rest of the weekend."
"We were trying to learn a new tire in a hurry there. I think you could see a lot of cars working through things and working on the balance for the short and the long runs. The high-line work was worth a try, but at the moment it seems quite hard to run up there. It is going to be important to qualify well. I think we have three fast cars, but it's the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, and it is always tight." |
Qualifying | Saturday, July 13 | 3:45 - 6:00 p.m. ET | Peacock |
Race 1 | Sunday, July 13 | 8:00 p.m. ET | NBC |
Green Flag | Sunday, July 14 | 12:00 p.m. ET | NBC |
