By alley - Jul 29, 2017, 11:03 AM ET

Rossi takes turn up front in third Mid-Ohio practice

Alexander Rossi edged closer to the Mid-Ohio track record on Saturday morning as Andretti Autosport flexed its muscles in the final practice period prior to qualifying for the Honda Indy 200.

Rossi's lap of 1m04.230s in the NASPA Auto Parts Honda was close to Simon Pagenaud's mark of 1m03.870 and led a Honda parade at the top.

"We looked at Ryan's data from yesterday and it worked nicely," said Rossi, referring to

Ryan Hunter-Reay's setting quick time on Friday

.

Andretti teammate Takuma Sato was second quick at 1m04.327s and Scott Dixon turned the third-fastest lap of 1m04.469s – followed closely by Ganassi teammate Tony Kanaan at 1m04.506s.

Josef Newgarden was the fastest Chevy in fifth at 1m04.557s.

Mikhail Aleshin brought out the first red flag of the weekend with only a couple minutes left in the session as he he lost control in Turn 11 and brushed the tire wall.

UP NEXT: Qualifying at 2:00 p.m. ET.

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