Photo Credit: Chris Owens/IndyCar
After the third and final practice for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, the top speed again belongs to Will Power, driver of the No. 12 Team Penske Verizon Chevrolet, who was also fastest at the end of second practice on Friday.
The Australian was in good company at the top as all of his Team Penske teams were right behind him. Simon Pagenaud, driver of the No. 22 PPG Automotive Refinish Chevrolet, was in second, followed by Helio Castroneves, driver of the No. 3 Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet, and Juan Pablo Montoya, driver of the No.2 Verizon Chevrolet. Team Penkse is proving their whole teams has the speed right now for this weekend, a common theme thus far as their drivers have won the pole for the first two races this year.
“Our guys have migrated to close to the same setup,” said Roger Penkse, Team Penske owner. “Juan was very quick yesterday when he come out and power obviously is a master around here. We look at the (lap) traces and the guys understand where they’ve got to be better, and I think the preparation has been good. Our shock work and aerodynamics seem good. Do you put more on or do you take some downforce out? That’s going to be the question for qualifying.”
The fastest Honda was that of Mikhail Aleshin, driver of the No. 7 Schmidt Peterson Motorsports SMP Racing Honda, as he was fifth. He also had light contact during this practice session.
Rounding out the rest of the top-10 speeds are as follows: Graham Rahal, Josef Newgarten, Alsehin’s teammate James Hinchcliffe, Sebastien Bourdais, and reigning series champion Scott Dixon.
There were a few incidents during this session. Takum Sato car stalled at the at the pit entrance and had to be pushed by the team.
“We lost drive train, something like that,” he said.
Meanwhile, both Ryan Hunter Reay and Rahal would contact in turn turn 9 but not at the same time. Hunter-Reay was able to drive back to the pits afterwards, while Rahal required a tow from the safety crew.
Next up on Saturday is qualifying for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach with the race being held held Sunday April 17h.
