Rahal leads Honda train in Watkins Glen practice

Graham Rahal pipped Alexander Rossi on his final lap to post the fastest lap in Friday's morning's practice session at Watkins Glen as Honda-powered cars flexed early muscle and claimed the top five spots and seven of the top 10.

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"I expected us to be very competitive here, and we didn't test here so we did a lot of running," Rahal said. "The car's pretty close, there's work to be done, but it's close. We're easily in the hunt."

Asked if he was surprised Chevy wasn't faster, he replied: "All I know is that Honda was pulling like an animal into the Bus Stop."

Max Chilton, whose 2018 plans are still unknown, was third quickest at 1m23.515, followed by Scott Dixon at 1m23.548 and James Hinchcliffe's 1m23.773s despite a 360-degree spin with no damage.

Spencer Pigot, who has been impressive for much of 2017, was the best Chevrolet driver at 1m23.842 and sixth overall while point leader Josef Newegarden was ninth. Jack Harvey, who's making his IndyCar Series road course debut in the No. 7 Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda, was 20th. 

Ryan Hunter-Reay also spun with no contact.

UP NEXT: Second practice at 3:05 p.m. ET.