SPEEDWAY — More than 2,000 laps of practice were turned on Tuesday – the opening day of practice for the 106th Indianapolis 500.
Following the drop of the green flag by Indiana Pacers player Oshae Brissett, drivers quickly got up to speed.
Seven Indy 500 rookies took much of the spotlight on opening day as they worked their way around the famed oval.
This year’s rookie class is headlined by 4-time Brickyard 400 and 7-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson.
As a member of Chip Ganassi Racing, Johnson is teamed up with defending series champion Alex Palou and Indy 500 champions Scott Dixon and Tony Kanaan.
Johnson, who was seen spending time with Kanaan on the pit wall throughout the day was asked about what tips Kanaan has offered him so far.
“With Tony, you never talk about racing,” Johnson said. “It is always something else. So we told a few lies and a few stories. But I certainly appreciate his friendship and the way he keeps me laughing.”
Johnson turned the third fastest lap of the day with a speed of 227.722 mph.
Takuma Sato, a 2-time Indy 500 champion, topped the charts at a speed of 228.939 mph.
Drivers return to the track for day two of practice for the 106th running of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” on Wednesday. Practice begins at noon.
-
Local organization launching new program to help Hoosiers purchase homes
Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity is launching a new program, which not only helps put Hoosiers in homes but also arms them with the tools to take control of their finances again.Indiana Department of Health will now release abortion records
According to an announcement Tuesday afternoon, IDOH conceded in a 2024 lawsuit filed by the Thomas More Society on behalf of the advocacy group Voices for Life.Elected officials express concern over Gov. Braun's property tax relief plan
A proposal aimed at lowering property taxes for homeowners in Indiana is sparking controversy at the statehouse.Lawmakers push to grow Indiana's sports economy
Amid ongoing political disagreements, Indiana lawmakers from both parties are uniting over a shared passion for sports, emphasizing its importance to the state’s economy and community.