Josef Newgarden topped the timesheets in the final practice after hybrid issues prevented him from running in the first half. Marcus Armstrong and Pato O’Ward were second and third fastest for IndyCar’s final practice before racing in Phoenix in 2026.
IndyCar comes back to the Phoenix Raceway after David Malukas took his first pole position earlier today. High Line and Final Practice round out a long day for IndyCar teams and drivers due to the Desert Double with NASCAR.
In the IndyCar Series, high-line practice means drivers run near the outside wall instead of the faster racing line. On oval tracks, teams test this line to see if rubber buildup creates enough grip to make an outside lane usable. If successful, it can help drivers carry speed and attempt passes on the outside during the race. High Line Practice is split into two 15-minute sessions to limit the number of drivers on track.
High Line Practice Group 1
David Malukas was back on top at the start of the half-hour High Line practice with a time of 22.7661 and an average lap speed of 158.130. As drivers head out on track, Newgarden topped the charts with a 22.6339-second lap time and a 159.053 mph average speed. Marcus Armstrong, Malukas, Caio Collet and Nolan Siegel finish out the top 5 halfway through their time on track.
Graham Rahal slid into fourth, then to first with an average speed of 159.44 mph and a 22.5784-second lap time. Rookie Dennis Hauger took the top spot with an average speed of 161.486 mph and a 22.2930-second lap time.
High Line Practice Group 2
With the second half of drivers out. Alexander Rossi tops the overall charts with an average speed of 164.908 mph and a 21.8303-second lap time. Reigning champion second-fastest overall with an average speed of 163.010 mph and a 22.0845 second lap time. Scott Dixon slid into fourth overall fastest with an average lap speed of 161.405 and a 22.3042 second lap time.
Will Power and Felix Roesnqvist did not participate in the High Line practice due to crashes sustained earlier in the day. Mechanical issues prevented Romain Grosjean from running in the early practice, requiring repairs off pit road.
Alexander Rossi was fastest overall in the High Line Practice with a lap time of 21.8303 seconds, with Alex Palou and Hauger second and third-fastest overall.
Final Practice
As drivers headed out for final practice, Palou topped the charts. The Spaniard had an average speed of 166.197 mph and a lap time of 21.6611 seconds. Malukas and Marcus Ericsson were second and third fastest at the start of practice. Kyle Kirkwood slid into P5 with an average speed of 163.993 mph and a 21.8521-second lap time. O’Ward missed out on the top three fastest with an average speed of 164.565 mph and a 21.8996-second lap time.
Alexander Rossi moved up to P6 with an average speed of 163.703 and a 21.9911-second lap time. The yellow flag waved after about 12 minutes of green-flag running. Grosean had a hybrid pump issue, causing the French driver to enter the pit lane at a slow pace. The yellow flag was flown to clean up the track for any debris.
With the green flag waving, Armstrong topped the timesheets with an average speed of 167.161 mph and a lap time of 21.5361 seconds.
O’Ward moved up to third fastest with 28 minutes left of the session with an average lap speed of 165.839 and a lap time of 21.7078 seconds.
Josef Newgarden could not participate in the first half of the final practice due to hybrid issues. However, Newgarden topped the chart with an average lap speed of 167.677 mph and a lap time of 21.4699 seconds.
With 18 minutes left in the final practice, Newgarden stayed on top with Armstrong, Palou, O’Ward, and Malukas in the top five fastest. O’Ward jumped up to third with an average speed of 166.724 and a 21.5926 lap time.
After Palou left his pit box, the No. 10 team told him to turn off his engine as the chequered flag waved.
Newgarden ended IndyCar’s final practice in Phoenix 2026 on top after hybrid issues. Armstrong and O’ward finish out the top three fastest in the final practice.
