Alexander Rossi, who last won an oval race in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES at Pocono Raceway in August 2018, showed compelling speed at the Unser INDYCAR Open Test held this week at Phoenix Raceway. Leading both the morning and afternoon sessions on the 1-mile oval, Rossi posted the fastest overall lap on Wednesday, signaling a potential end to his streak without an oval victory. His afternoon best reached 174.542 mph in the No. 20 ECR Java House Chevrolet, despite a delayed start caused by light rain.
Strong Performances Across the Driver Field
All 25 drivers targeting the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg next month participated in the two-day test at Phoenix Raceway, which is set to host the Good Ranchers 250 race on March 7, marking the track’s return to the series since 2018. Rossi expressed satisfaction with progress, stating,
“We got through everything we wanted, and when you can do that, it’s a good day,”
and added,
“Christian’s (Rasmussen) car is also strong, so there’s nothing more I could ask for.”
Rossi also remarked on his team’s setup, saying,
“We have a good baseline, and it feels like we are on top of it.”
Rival Drivers Close Behind in Speed
Two-time series champion Josef Newgarden secured the second-fastest time overall at 174.362 mph in the No. 2 XPEL Team Penske Chevrolet, improving from his earlier second place on Tuesday. Reigning champion Alex Palou ranked third, posting a lap speed of 174.220 mph in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. ECR teammates dominated the top four positions, with Christian Rasmussen, 2025 Milwaukee Mile winner, close behind at 173.924 mph during the afternoon session.
David Malukas, a newly minted Team Penske member, maintained strong form on ovals by finishing fifth overall at 173.759 mph in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet.
Rookie Progress and Testing Incidents
Formula One rookie Mick Schumacher was the fastest newcomer over the two days, improving significantly from his initial lap of 164.006 mph on Tuesday to 171.096 mph on Wednesday in the No. 47 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda. He ended 18th overall, demonstrating marked development in his oval racing abilities.
The test saw only one on-track incident: 2022 Indianapolis 500 champion Marcus Ericsson experienced a quarter-spin and hit the SAFER Barrier in Turn 4 during the afternoon session, but walked away unharmed. His No. 28 Delaware Life Honda, fielded by Andretti Global, sustained rear-end damage.
Endurance and Preparation for the Upcoming Season
Over both days at Phoenix Raceway, the 25 drivers completed a total of 4,853 laps. Among them, series veteran Will Power was the most active, logging 259 laps—exceeding the upcoming race distance—and acclimating to his new role at Andretti Global after 16 full seasons with Team Penske.
This testing session highlights Rossi’s competitive return to shape on ovals and sets promising expectations for the season-opening events. His top performances, combined with strong showings from key contenders such as Newgarden and Palou, indicate a highly competitive series ahead, with Phoenix Raceway reintegrating as an important venue. The upcoming Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and Good Ranchers 250 will provide the first opportunities to see how these test results translate to race conditions.
