Practice 1 for the inaugural 2026 IndyCar race in Arlington has been completed, view the full results here. It was a big journey into the unknown for the 25 drivers as they tackled a brand new street circuit.
Two-time champion Josef Newgraden went into the weekend as the championship leader thanks to a clinical final stint on the Phoenix oval last weekend. Alex Palou lost the standings lead for the first time since mid-2024 as he had a crash. The Spaniard had contact with Rinus VeeKay.
From P18 on the grid, Christian Rasmussen looked set to win with a remarkable drive until contact with Will Power damaged his car. In the end he had to settle for a painful P14.
First-time polesitter David Malukas bagged a P3 for Team Penske, his first rostrum with the legendary squad. It was a very strong day for the organisation with a 1-3. Kyle Kirkwood drive a very solid race to take 2nd on the day and in points.
In full field running, Pato O’Ward led the way from Scott McLaughlin and David Malukas. Sting Ray Robb (crash) and Rinus VeeKay (brake problems) brought out red flags in this segment.
2026 IndyCar Arlington Practice 1 | Full field running results
With Team Penske leading most of the way in the second part of the session, Pato O’Ward jumped to the top before the final red flag appeared.
- O’Ward
- McLaughlin
- Malukas
- Ericsson
- Rossi
- Rosenqvist
- Lundgaard
- Rasmussen
- Palou
- Power
- Newgarden
- Collet
- Armstrong
- Hauger
- Schumacher
- Grosjean
- Rahal
- Kirkwood
- Foster
- Simpson
- VeeKay
- Siegel
- Dixon
- Ferrucci
- Robb
2026 IndyCar Arlington | Group A results
A rapid lap from Scott McLaughlin on a 1:34.892 put him over 0.4s clear of the rest of the pack. Power, O’Ward and Rosenqvist were all within the same tenth behind him.
- McLaughlin
- Power
- O’Ward
- Rosenqvist
- Ericsson
- Collet
- Grosjean
- Kirkwood
- Newgarden
- Hauger
- Foster
- Ferrucci
- Schumacher
- VeeKay
2026 IndyCar Arlington | Group B results
Championship favourite Alex Palou was fastest in this session as he clocked a 1:34.951, less than a tenth away from Scott McLaughlin’s benchmark in the previous session.
- Palou
- Rossi
- Lundgaard
- Dixon
- Hauger
- Rahal
- Armstrong
- Siegel
- Collet
- Malukas
- Schumacher
- Rasmussen
2026 IndyCar Arlington | Overall Practice 1 results
- McLaughlin 1:34.892
- Palou 1:34.951
- Power 1:35.305
- O’Ward 1:35.364
- Rosenqvist 1:35.377
- Ericsson 1:35.627
- Rossi 1:35.669
- Lundgaard 1:35.689
- Dixon 1:35.994
- Hauger 1:36.052
- Rahal 1:36.139
- Malukas 1:36.258
- Collet 1:36.263
- Grosjean 1:36.294
- Kirkwood 1:36.305
- Newgarden 1:36.310
- Rasmussen 1:36.447
- Armstrong 1:36.504
- Foster 1:36.507
- Siegel 1:36.977
- Schumacher 1:37.328
- Ferrucci 1:37.530
- Simpson 1:38.419
- VeeKay 1:38.443
- Robb 1:39.772
