The final practice before Race Day delivered exactly what fans expect from Miller Lite Carb Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway: speed, strategy, and a few last-minute storylines ahead of the Indianapolis 500.
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden set the pace during the final practice session for the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, posting the fastest lap of the afternoon at 228.342 mph in the No. 2 Shell Fuel Rewards Team Penske Chevrolet.
For Newgarden, the speed was encouraging but far from the final goal.
“It feels OK, feels all right,” Newgarden said after the session. “But today is Friday. We’ve got to be good on Sunday.”
The Team Penske driver will start 23rd in Sunday’s race, a position that adds another layer of challenge to his pursuit of a third Indianapolis 500 victory. Yet if Carb Day offered any indication, Newgarden and Team Penske appear ready to fight their way through the 33-car field.
This was not the first time Newgarden showed speed during Indianapolis 500 preparations. He also led the rain-shortened post-qualifying practice earlier in the week, reinforcing confidence around the No. 2 Chevrolet heading into Race Day.
Behind Newgarden, Christian Rasmussen delivered an impressive performance with a lap of 227.474 mph in the No. 21 Splenda Chevrolet for Ed Carpenter Racing. David Malukas continued his strong Month of May by finishing third at 226.565 mph in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet.
Indiana native Conor Daly once again demonstrated consistent pace, placing fourth at 226.341 mph for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, while two-time Indy 500 champion Takuma Sato completed the top five at 226.244 mph.
Pole sitter and defending Indianapolis 500 winner Alex Palou finished sixth at 225.986 mph. The reigning NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion enters Race Day chasing history as he attempts to become just the seventh driver to win back-to-back Indianapolis 500s.
Another encouraging story from Carb Day came from rookie Dennis Hauger, who emerged as the fastest first-year driver in the field, finishing 10th overall.
One of the biggest questions entering Friday surrounded Alexander Rossi, who returned to action after suffering injuries during a hard practice crash earlier in the week that required minor outpatient surgery. Despite discomfort, Rossi completed the session and continues toward what could be his best Indianapolis 500 starting position.
The two-hour session featured 2,169 combined laps among all 33 drivers and only one caution period, proving teams were focused on final race simulations and long-run performance. Veteran Scott Dixon logged the most laps of any driver with 96 circuits around the famed 2.5-mile oval.
Now, all eyes turn to Sunday.
Carb Day may have provided a final preview, but as Newgarden reminded everyone, the real test comes on Race Day. With proven champions, rising stars, and storylines across the grid, the 110th Indianapolis 500 is set for another unforgettable chapter at the Brickyard.
Photos by We Like Indy Team. and (2) Josef Newgarden – Miller Lite Carb Day – By: Lisa Hurley
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