Low-key speed from Armstrong to get Indy 500 preparations underway

Marcus Armstrong’s introduction to IndyCar racing came in 2023 with Chip Ganassi Racing, where the Formula 2 veteran opted to stick to the road and street course racing he’d spent a lifetime learning at home in New Zealand and then in Europe.

He went all-in the following year, tackling the full IndyCar calendar – ovals included – and showed some aptitude for the American artform with a top 10 at Iowa Speedway and a seventh at Nashville Speedway to close the season.

The shift to Meyer Shank Racing in 2025 only accelerated his oval education, with a career-best third-place finish at the Iowa bullring, and he sent another reminder of his full talents earlier this year when he charged to fifth at Phoenix Raceway.

Considering the growth Armstrong’s displayed outside of his native road and street courses, the 25-year-old was pleased with his pace on Tuesday, when he led most of the opening day of practice for the Indianapolis 500 before settling for second behind defending winner Alex Palou.

"It was a decent day in the office for us,” he said in his understated way after lapping the 2.5-mile oval at 225.895 mph. “It felt really nice to be back in Indy and in action. We were fast straight out of the box and the car felt very strong. We have four more days of testing, and we are ready to rock and roll."

MSR’s Helio Castroneves was 15th in the No. 06 Honda (223.332mph), and Felix Rosenqvist 22nd in the No. 60 Honda (222.608mph).