A critical test session at Mid-Ohio
The sprint to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship officially kicks off this July, and fourteen drivers from six teams gathered at the 2.258-mile Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on Tuesday to prepare. With eight races packed into the next ten weeks, this test session was about more than just finding speed—it was about survival.
Kyle Kirkwood put his Andretti Global machine on top, clocking a 1:05.3542. It is a vital result for him as he tries to claw back a 61-point deficit to Alex Palou in the standings. Right behind him, Rinus VeeKay showed exactly why his stock is rising, putting his Juncos Hollinger Racing entry just .0588 of a second off the pace. Dennis Hauger, the standout rookie, also made his mark by finishing third, proving he has a real affinity for this track after his previous success here in INDY NXT.
Down at Team Penske, things looked a bit different. While Scott McLaughlin and David Malukas handled their usual duties, Felipe Nasr stepped into the No. 2 Chevrolet to cover for an injured Josef Newgarden. Seeing a former Formula One driver like Nasr within a fraction of a second of his teammates is a testament to the talent in that garage, even as they work through the reality of their driver’s recovery.
