Team Penske was fast throughout Saturday morning’s practice session for the NTT IndyCar Series at Portland International Raceway, making great use of the test day it used a week ago in preparation for the Portland Grand Prix.
Demonstrating impressive mechanical grip through the fast/slow Turn 1 chicane complex, championship leader Will Power (58.3946s) was followed closely by Penske teammates Josef Newgarden (58.4083s) and Scott McLaughlin (58.4910s) as the Chevy-powered trio were separated by a scant 0.096s.
After making significant changes to the rear suspension of his Andretti Autosport entry, Colton Herta shot to fourth (58.7201s) as the first among the Honda-powered drivers, but was a fair way behind Power (0.0325s) on a quick circuit.
More Honda runners slotted in behind Herta with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Christian Lundgaard, who was fast in the early going before falling down the order, responding with a late run to prepare for qualifying that was good enough for fifth (58.7463s). RLL teammate Graham Rahal completed the top six (58.7479s).
As a whole, the title-contending Chip Ganassi Racing team struggled, with its top representative being Scott Dixon in seventh (58.7686s), and elsewhere, Juncos Hollinger Racing’s Callum Ilott impressed with a lap that was good enough for ninth (58.8439s).
No red flags were required during the cool and overcast session; Dalton Kellett spun and continued at Turn 1.
UP NEXT: Qualifying, 12:05 PT
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