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
|
|
