The 2017 IndyCar season is in its 16th race with the IndyCar Grand Prix at the Glen at Watkins Glen International. Which drivers looked solid in the first practice session?
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Graham Rahal topped this weekend’s first IndyCar practice session at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York with a top lap speed of 145.712 miles per hour (83.2603 seconds) around the 11-turn, 3.37-mile natural terrain road course.
Rahal led a top 5 Honda sweep in the practice session, with Alexander Rossi, Max Chilton, Scott Dixon and James Hinchcliffe rounding out the top 5. The top Chevrolet driver in the practice session was Spencer Pigot, who was 6th fastest. Honda drivers took seven of the top 8 spots on the speed chart.
The fastest Team Penske driver in the session was championship leader Josef Newgarden, who was 9th fastest. Team Penske was not particularly strong in this practice session, with all four of their drivers finishing between 9th and 16th.
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In just his second race back since his nasty crash in Indianapolis 500 qualifying, Sebastien Bourdais was 13th quickest in the session in his Dale Coyne Racing Honda. Bourdais’ teammate Ed Jones, the lone full-time rookie in the series, was 14th fastest.
Jack Harvey, who is making his first substitution appearance for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports this season, was 20th quickest in the practice session in his Honda car. You can see full practice results from the first practice session at Watkins Glen here.
Remaining Weekend Schedule
The second practice session for the race takes place this afternoon at 3:05 PM ET. The third practice session for the race takes place tomorrow at 10:30 AM ET before qualifications begin at 3:00 PM ET. Qualifying will be broadcast on a delay on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) tomorrow at 7:00 PM ET.
On Sunday, morning warm-up for the race will be held at 9:00 AM ET before the 60-lap race itself begins at 1:40 PM ET. The race will be broadcast live on NBCSN starting at 1:00 PM ET.
Next: IndyCar driver power rankings
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