Dale Coyne Racing with HMD-Honda rookie David Malukas was the first driver into the 175s, Team Penske-Chevrolet’s Will Power was the first into the 176s, Devlin De Francesco sent his Andretti Autosport-Honda around in 177mph, and then Josef Newgarden – a three-time winner here – put everyone in perspective with a 179.660mph effort on his ninth lap.
Scott McLaughlin, who finished fourth here last year, got close to his teammate, with a 179.172mph lap, and at that time the pair of them were the only drivers to hit 195mph through the Turn 1 speed trap.
