Josef Newgarden Leads Final Practice at Carb Day Before 500

Highlights

Josef Newgarden led final practice with 228.342 mph lap
Christian Rasmussen and David Malukas secured second and third fastest
Defending champ Alex Palou was sixth fastest, aiming for back-to-back wins
Alexander Rossi returned post-surgery, ranked 31st in final practice
Two-hour session included 2,169 laps; one caution caused by loose wheel
Indy 500 race set for Sunday, May 24, starting at 12:45 p.m.

Josef Newgarden sets the Carb Day benchmark, topping final practice for the 110th Indianapolis 500 at 228.342 mph in the No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet, despite starting 23rd.

He also leads the rain-shortened post-qualifying practice at 226.198 mph, underlining consistency across runs and conditions.

Newgarden says the car feels OK, stressing Sunday is the only verdict that matters. Confidence in Team Chevy frames his approach after work earlier in the week.

Newgarden tops Carb Day at 228.342 mph, launching from 23rd on Sunday.

Josef Newgarden leads Carb Day final practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway — Image Credit: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

History warns the task is steep from 23rd. Johnny Rutherford last won from 23rd or lower, rising from 25th in 1974, demanding flawless traffic management and pit execution.

Christian Rasmussen posts 227.474 mph for Ed Carpenter Racing’s No. 21 Splenda Chevrolet. David Malukas logs 226.565 mph in the No. 12 Verizon Penske, matching his starting slot.

Conor Daly is fourth at 226.341 mph in Dreyer & Reinbold’s No. 23 DRR KINGSPAN ARCO Chevrolet. Takuma Sato completes the top five with 226.244 mph for Rahal Letterman Lanigan.

Palou targets back-to-back 500 victories from pole after finishing sixth in Carb Day running.

Pole-sitter and reigning winner Alex Palou is sixth at 225.986 mph in Ganassi’s No. 10 DHL Honda, continuing a race-trim focus while chasing consecutive Indianapolis 500 victories.

Rookie Dennis Hauger impresses, P10 at 225.187 mph for Dale Coyne’s No. 19 Only Bulls Honda, suggesting a stable baseline ahead of his first 500.

Alexander Rossi returns after minor surgery from his practice crash. He starts second, but 222.291 mph leaves him 31st as his program emphasises race balance.

Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden during Carb Day running — Image Credit: Speed Sport

The field completes 2,169 laps in two hours. Only caution comes for a loose wheel on Marcus Ericsson’s car, underlining clean execution across pit stops and traffic.

2,169 laps are logged with a single caution for Ericsson’s loose wheel.

Scott Dixon leads mileage with 96 laps in Ganassi’s No. 9 PNC Bank Honda, a typical Dixon approach to validate race-trim balance and fuel windows.

Attention now shifts to Sunday’s Indianapolis 500, with coverage from 10 a.m. ET and the green at 12:45 p.m., waved by actor Brendan Fraser. Fans should note regional blackout details for viewing guidance.

Visual Summary

🚀 Newgarden rockets from 23rd to lead Carb Day!

228.342
mph

Josef Newgarden
Fastest Overall
(No. 2 Penske)

33
cars set for Indy 500
2,169 practice laps run

1 caution only (Ericsson wheel)

Last to win from 23rd or worse:
Johnny Rutherford (25th)
1974

Next Up: The Indianapolis 500, Sunday, May 24
10 a.m. ET coverage • Green flag at 12:45 p.m. (Brendan Fraser waves it)

Will Newgarden turn practice speed into Indy history?

Brian Thompson

Brian Thompson focuses on IndyCar Series news, from qualifying speeds at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to street-course race strategy. He delivers concise feature stories and technical breakdowns on chassis setups, tire choices, and championship standings for open-wheel enthusiasts.