During the initial IndyCar oval event of the 2026 season held at Phoenix Raceway just days after the first round, David Malukas recorded the fastest lap in Friday’s opening practice session. Malukas reached a lap speed of 175.605 MPH, completing the 1-mile oval in 20.5005 seconds, setting the pace for the 25-car field on track.
The session saw drivers cautiously beginning with installation laps before speeds rapidly increased, showcasing early competitiveness among teams striving for an edge on the newly configured Phoenix oval.
Top Competitors’ Performance Highlights in Practice
Pato O’Ward secured the second-fastest time but fell short of the 175 MPH mark, while Josef Newgarden posted the third best lap. Christian Rasmussen of Ed Carpenter Racing finished fourth, with Will Power of Andretti Global leading the Honda-powered runners in fifth. Chevrolet-powered cars dominated, with eight out of the top ten times delivered by Chevy engines, underscoring their ongoing strength on short oval tracks.
IndyCar’s return to Phoenix Raceway, which last hosted a race in 2018, comes after significant changes to the venue, including the repositioning of the starting line. Drivers and crews spent part of the day adjusting to the new layout, including learning revised turn numbering and refining pit road entry and exit strategies to optimize race day performance.
Adjusting to New Challenges and Setup on the Revamped Oval
With limited recent experience on the Phoenix oval—a full field test two weeks earlier was the only prior running—teams allocated much of practice to fine-tuning car setups. The dynamic aerodynamic packages and speeds surpassing 175 MPH made finding the right balance critical to prevent accidents and damage.
The session’s most serious incident involved Felix Rosenqvist, whose Meyer Shank Racing Honda lost control between Turns 3 and 4, spinning into the SAFER barrier. The crash severely damaged the rear suspension and left sidepod of his vehicle. Despite this, Rosenqvist exited the car unharmed but left his team under urgent pressure to repair the car ahead of qualifying.
“I just lost it in Turn 2 on exit,”
said Rosenqvist to Fox Sports.
“Got a little loose in the middle, kind of recovered, then it snapped again and I just couldn’t catch it. Super bummed. Very early in the practice, still kinda getting up to speed. Tough one to save. Big hit. I hope we can get it together.”
“Super bummed for everyone in the team. Car felt pretty good until it became a little loose. See what we can do from here.”
– Felix Rosenqvist, Driver
Other drivers encountered instances of oversteer and needed to lift off the throttle to maintain control, though no further incidents of significance were reported during practice.
Qualifying Session Awaits at Phoenix Raceway
Teams and drivers prepared to return to the track at noon local time for single-lap qualifying, which will determine the starting grid for Saturday’s race. With challenging new track configurations and high-speed practice laps already testing driver skill and team readiness, qualifying promises to be a tense and pivotal moment for setting the tone of this eagerly anticipated round.
David Malukas’s top speed signals strong potential, but the uncertainty surrounding car balance and the recent crash of Felix Rosenqvist emphasize the fine margins teams face in adapting to Phoenix’s current conditions. The performances of leading drivers like Josef Newgarden, Will Power, Christian Rasmussen, and others will be key indicators of who can sustain success as the oval portion of the season unfolds.
