David Malukas of Team Penske dominated the first practice session for the NTT IndyCar Series Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix Raceway, clocking a rapid lap of 20.5005 seconds at 175.605 mph on the one-mile oval track. This effort marked a strong start to the weekend, highlighting Malukas’ continued form at this venue.
Chevrolet Teams Command the Top Positions
Malukas continued his Phoenix success after previously leading the preseason open test in February with a 172.605 mph lap during his debut for Team Penske. The faster speeds in this practice hinted at teams honing their setups for qualifying and the race ahead. Chevrolet teams impressed greatly, securing the first four spots: Pato O’Ward for Arrow McLaren was second, 0.1345 seconds behind Malukas; Malukas’ teammate Josef Newgarden placed third, 0.1824 seconds off the pace; and Christian Rasmussen of Ed Carpenter Racing completed the top four within 0.1931 seconds.
Honda’s Strongest Driver and On-Track Incident
Will Power, racing for Andretti Global, was the fastest Honda driver, finishing fifth at 0.2095 seconds behind Malukas. His time reflected a competitive but slightly slower performance from Honda teams in the session. The practice saw a significant crash when Felix Rosenqvist of Meyer Shank Racing lost control in Turn 2, striking the wall and severely damaging the rear of his No. 60 Honda. Fortunately, Rosenqvist was examined at the infield medical center and released without harm.
Practice 1 Event Highlights and Next Steps
David Malukas’ commanding pace reinforces his potential as a frontrunner at Phoenix Raceway, setting a competitive tone for qualifying and the race. Chevrolet’s strong showing confirms their current advantage, while Honda teams aim to close the gap. The incident involving Rosenqvist serves as a reminder of the track’s challenges, emphasizing the importance of driver safety moving forward. As the weekend progresses, teams will continue adjusting their packages to secure optimal performance for the Good Ranchers 250.
A big hit for Felix Rosenqvist during Practice 1 at Phoenix Raceway. pic.twitter.com/Og2PHeZVOU
— INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) March 6, 2026
A big hit for Felix Rosenqvist during Practice 1 at Phoenix Raceway. pic.twitter.com/Og2PHeZVOU
— INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) March 6, 2026
