The NTT IndyCar Series returns to the streets of Detroit to close out a busy month of May, with the Chevrolet Detroit GP. The drivers will take on the tight and twisty 10-corner track over the course of the 100-lap race. Kyle Kirkwood is the defending winner of the Detroit GP, and is looking to close the gap to David Maluas and Alex Palou in the standings.
Green means go in the Motor City
Cars hit the track in the Motor City as the green flag waves on the first practice session of the weekend.
Christian Lungaard is the first driver to lay down a time, with a 1:10.9. He’s the only driver out on track for the first few minutes of the weekend’s opening session. Trouble comes early for the No.28 of Marcus Ericsson, as fluid leaks from the gearbox of his car. The first red flag for the NTT IndyCar Series in Detroit comes less than 10 minutes into Practice 1.
Green flag waves once again with 27 minutes left in Practice 1.
Pato O’Ward and Caio Collet put down quick laps in the low 1:08’s but fall short of Lundgaard’s 1:04.25. Kyle Kirkwood is the second driver on the grid to break into the 1:04’s, with a 1:04.47. Just short of the benchmark time.
20 minutes reamin in the first practice session for the Detroit GP, with the top 3 consisting of Lundgaard, Kirkwood, and Rahal.
As time winds down, Pato O’Ward pips the top spot from his Arrow McLaren teammate, with a stunning 1:03.67. Additionally, Kirkwood and Power break into the 1:03s, with 1:03.70 and 1:03.97, respectively.
With 17 minutes remaining, the top 3 positions are held by Kirkwood, Power, and O’Ward.
Will Power becomes the first in Detroit to set a sub-1:03 time, with a blistering 1:02.94. He is the only driver to do so with less than 10 minutes in the combined session. However, O’ward and Kirkwood aren’t far behind the Australian driver, each with a low 1:03.1s.
Sting Ray Robb was the only driver to not set a time due to a clutch issue following his installation lap.
The checkered flag waves on the all-cars session in Detroit, with the top 5 made up of Power, O’Ward, Kirkwood, Malukas, and Lundgaard.
Group B goes green
The split sessions start in the Motor City with 12 minutes on the clock and 14 drivers on track. After sitting P2 in the combined session, Pato O’Ward sets the first lap for Group B with a 1:06.27. Shortly after, Power, Collet, and Rosenqvist al set similar but slightly slower times.
Kyle Kirkwood sets a rapid 1:03.09, sitting not far off Power’s fastest time from the all-cars run. Quickly after, Scott McLaughlin’s No.3 Penske joins him at the top with a speedy 1:03.28.
With just under 6 minutes left for Group B, Kyle Kirkwood sets a blistering 1:02.79, taking the fastest lap of the day from Will Power by 2-tenths of a second.
A huge rear lockup sees Indy500 winner Felix Roesnqvist take to the run off, although he ultimately keeps it out of the walls.
Romain Grosjean spins out on track, bringing out a short red flag. The Swiss driver manages to restart the car and make his way back to the pit lane. Green flag running quickly resumes with a minute left on the clock.
The checkered flag falls for Group B with Kirkwood holding strong in P1, followed by VeeKay, McLaughlin, Ericsson, and Power.
It’s Group A’s turn in the Motor City
Group A takes their turn with 12 more minutes on the clock, to bring a close to the Detroit GP’s first practice session. Alex Palou leads the drivers out of pit lane, and sets an opening 1:06.86.
The times quickly tumble as Rasmussen and Rossi hold an ECR 1-2 with low 1:04s. They don’t hold the top spots for long, as Lundgaard and Malulas set rapid 1:03.34 and 1:03.40, respectively.
With 5 minutes remaining in the final IndyCar session of the day, the top 5 consists of Lundgaard, Malukas, Rossi, Rasmussen, and a rapid rookie, Caio Collet.
As the final moment of Group A’s session ticked down, Marcus Armstrong rockets to the top of the timing sheets with a 1:03.17. However, Alex Palou quickly takes the top time in Detroit shortly after with a 1:02.77. A short red fag brings the drivers back to the pits with 2 minutes left on the clock.
The final split session ends with Palou in P1 followed by Armstrong, Lundgaard, Malukas, and Rossi.
