Source: Manufacturer PR

CHEVROLET IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES

INDIANAPOLIS 500

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

TEAM CHEVY PRACTICE REPORT

MAY 20, 2024

JOSEF NEWGARDEN, TEAM PENSKE, AND CHEVROLET LEAD MONDAY’S SHORT INDIANAPOLIS 500 PRACTICE AT INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

• Josef Newgarden, driver of the No. 2 Shell Team Penske Chevrolet, led Monday’s two-hour practice for Chevrolet with a best speed of 226.238 mph.
• Chevrolet was represented by four drivers in the top-five and seven of the top-10.
• Monday’s session saw the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 field turn a total of 2,655 laps, with Chevrolet completing 1,273 laps.
• The NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers and teams have one practice left before the prestigious Indianapolis 500, with Carb Day on deck Friday. Coverage of Carb Day practice airs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Peacock, as well as the Pit Stop Challenge at 2:30 p.m. ET.

TEAM CHEVY TOP-10 PRACTICE RESULT:

Pos.  Driver

1st      Josef Newgarden (226.238 mph)
3rd     Will Power (226.137 mph)
4th     Agustin Canapino (225.747 mph)
5th     Pato O’Ward (225.738 mph)
6th     Christian Rasmussen (225.718 mph)
8th     Romain Grosjean (225.507 mph)
9th     Alexander Rossi (225.448 mph)

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING (QUOTES):

Santino Ferrucci, No. 14 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet:

“Feeling really good. We’re slowly tuning this thing up. Every time we go out there, we find a little bit and find a little bit, and that’s part of the game. As long as we don’t lose a little bit, we’ll be good.”

Sting Ray Robb, No. 41 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet:

“Today was good. I think that we have a better idea of where our Goodheart Chevrolet needs to be and where it is compared to where we were before today, which is nice. We had a little bit of an issue in the middle of the session and we were able to come back to the garage and figure it out quickly, which I’m super proud of the guys for doing. Got back out there, and got some race running in. I’m really excited about the race. I think we can go forward in the field. It’s going to be tight. Super competitive this year. Everyone is on top of their game this year. I’m excited to see how it shakes up. I’m really proud of the Goodheart crew and really want to do well. I think we have good potential.”

Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“It’s definitely not the best day that I’ve had all month. I’m hopeful that we can continue to make some changes to find even more. In terms of balance, I don’t think we’re in a bad spot. We just need to make sure we get all of the speed out of the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet that we can.”

Callum Ilott, No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“It was pretty interesting session considering the hot temperatures. I think we made some big improvements towards the end and had some good traffic running. We went through everything we needed to, so I’m pretty happy with the No. 6 NTT DATA Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. Now we’ll move on to Friday and go for it there.”

Alexander Rossi, No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“It was our next to last practice before the race and the No. 7 VELO Arrow McLaren Chevrolet is in a good window. We’re just carrying on the goodness all month. I’m looking forward to Carb Day on Friday.”

Kyle Larson, No. 17 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“I thought today was great. I got more comfortable with different scenarios that I haven’t been able to put myself in yet, mostly focused on pit lane. It was good to finally get some runs at pit entry and run the length of pit lane. I like that our pit stop is on the Turn 1 side. It gives me time to think about how to execute a pit stop, which I still need get more comfortable with. I feel like I could race now and do a decent job, but it’s good that we still have another day left to get ready.”

Gavin Ward, Team Principal at Arrow McLaren:

 It’s always amazing how you feel like you’ve got all the time in the world when you get here, and then when you get through qualifying, you don’t have much time left. It was a busy session trying to get the Arrow McLaren Chevrolet cars as good as can be for the race. We feel pretty good about where we’re at and we have some happy drivers. We’re chipping away at things bit by bit. There’s one more session to go and then it’s time for the real thing.”

Rinus VeeKay, No. 21 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet:

“Happy to be back in race trim and in race running! It was a pretty solid practice. We were able to run closely to other guys which was good considering we are in a car that was put together in a few hours. The guys now have the time to straighten out the car ahead of the race. I’m happy and confident heading into Carb Day.”

Christian Rasmussen, No. 33 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet:

“Good practice. Gone from quali trim and focusing on that to race trim and focusing on traffic. I think we’ve done some good learning for me personally, but also some good tweaks on the car. We’ll be ready for the race. It’s exciting. I’m looking forward to it.”  

Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet:

“The car feels good. I’ve been happy with it since we showed up. There’s been a lot of work put into this racecar all year from everybody. I’m excited to go racing. It’s exciting to have Shell back on board, trying to have another solid day this Sunday coming up. The team has done a great job. We’re excited to be here, like I’ve talked about all week. I love this place. We’re going to see how things shape up. You’ve just got to be ready for everything. I think we’re going to make a plan, and might follow the plan, or we might change the plan. You never know with the Indianapolis 500. Just ready for Sunday. I think we checked (the box) pretty early in the week. Our racecar and what we showed up with is very much intact. It’s there. The car is capable of racing and doing well. That’s kind of a box of its own. There’s a lot of other things you’ve got to be able to do in the race to tackle any challenges, but I think the car is very raceable and it’s got speed. You have that box check. You can kind of make anything else work, in my opinion.”