McLaughlin Leads Opening Practice at Inaugural Arlington Grand Prix

Scott McLaughlin set the pace during Friday’s debut practice for the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington, posting a session-best lap of 1:34.8926. Beyond the speed, McLaughlin praised the 14-turn temporary circuit, calling it his favorite street course to date.

The session was highly competitive, with less than a second separating the top eight drivers. Defending champion Alex Palou finished a close second, followed by Will Power and Pato O’Ward. Despite a minor brush with the barriers, Felix Rosenqvist rounded out the top five.

The session was marred by two red flags, both involving Juncos Hollinger Racing. Sting Ray Robb contacted the Turn 1 wall early on, and Rinus VeeKay later stalled in the Turn 10 runoff. Action resumes Saturday with a final practice at 9:35 a.m. ET, followed by qualifying at 2:30 p.m. ET.

IndyCar First Practice Arlington Speeds

March 13, 2026

POSITION
LAPS
BEST SPEED
BEST TIME

1

S. McLaughlin #3
18
103.570
1:34.893

2

A. Palou #10
14
103.506
1:34.951

3

W. Power #26
19
103.121
1:35.305

4

P. O’Ward #5
19
103.058
1:35.364

5

F. Rosenqvist #60
15
103.043
1:35.378

6

M. Ericsson #28
15
102.774
1:35.627

7

A. Rossi #20
17
102.729
1:35.669

8

C. Lundgaard #7
19
102.707
1:35.690

9

S. Dixon #9
14
102.381
1:35.994

10

D. Hauger #19
20
102.319
1:36.053

11

G. Rahal #15
18
102.227
1:36.139

12

D. Malukas #12
20
102.100
1:36.259

13

C. Collet #4
26
102.095
1:36.263

14

R. Grosjean #18
17
102.062
1:36.294

15

K. Kirkwood #27
14
102.050
1:36.306

16

J. Newgarden #2
19
102.045
1:36.311

17

C. Rasmussen #21
13
101.900
1:36.448

18

M. Armstrong #66
16
101.840
1:36.504

19

L. Foster #45
16
101.837
1:36.508

20

N. Siegel #6
18
101.343
1:36.978

21

M. Schumacher #47
19
100.977
1:37.329

22

S. Ferrucci #14
13
100.769
1:37.530

23

K. Simpson #8
14
99.858
1:38.420

24

R. Veekay #76
10
99.834
1:38.443

25

S. Robb #77
5
98.504
1:39.773
John Bman
John Bmanhttp://www.tireball.com
Founder and Owner of Tireball Sports.

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