Scott McLaughlin – Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey – Photo by Chris Jones | IMS Photo

By John Sturbin, Raceday San Antonio

Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin led Friday’s opening practice for the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey on a WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca layout that has lost seat-of-the-pants grip since a repave in 2023.

Scott McLaughlin – Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey – Photo by Paul Hurley

A number of NTT IndyCar Series regulars either spun or ventured off-track while working to adjust to the track’s lower grip levels compared to last year, when fresh asphalt offered more traction. McLaughlin emerged as quickest via a lap at 1-minute, 7.6325-seconds/119.126 mph in the No. 3 Good Ranchers Team Penske Chevrolet on the undulating, 2.238-mile/11-turn circuit that includes the famous “Corkscrew” turn complex.

“Pretty good day in the Good Ranchers Chevy,” said McLaughlin, a native of New Zealand. “The car was pretty hooked-up from the get-go and it really got on reds (Firestone alternate tires) when we turned it on. The track’s getting faster and faster, and I think it’s sort of coming to our car a little bit.”

McLaughlin added the surface change was not as extreme as anticipated. “Like, it has changed a little bit for sure, but it’s still grippy. I remember that,” McLaughlin said. “We had a full day of testing here before we got on, so the track was really rubbered-up at this point of the weekend.

Scott McLaughlin – Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey – Photo by Paul Hurley

“The car just gets grippier and better and better as the rubber goes down. We were one of the last ones to run tires there, so ultimately, the car has been good all session. I think we’re right there and we’ll see what we have later in the weekend.”

Native Californian Colton Herta, a winner in 2019 and 2021 at this track, was second at 1:07.7316/118.952 mph in the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda fielded by Andretti Global with Curb-Agajanian. Two-time/reigning NTT IndyCar Series champion Alex Palou of Spain, who won this event in 2022, was third at 1:07.7371/118.942 mph in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.

Josef Newgarden – Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey – Photo by Chris Jones | IMS Photo

Josef Newgarden, another two-time series champ, was fourth at 1:07.8805/118.691 mph in the No. 3 Hitachi Team Penske Chevrolet.

“It’s quicker than it feels,” said Newgarden, assessing grip level. “It does feel like a lot less grip, but the lap time is not that bad compared to last year. So, it’s still really fast but you’re tip-toeing more. Last year, the thing just felt like it was stuck on the track. This year, it’s a little more line-specific. Some corners, you just can’t miss the line otherwise you’re blowing the corner.

“It’s interesting, but it’s a fun track to drive. Man, it’s challenging. It’s a very challenging track physically and a lot of demand on the car, which is great. The Hitachi car felt great. Team Chevy has done a great job, too. Drivability felt really, really nice. Hopefully, we’re in the fight (Saturday for pole.)”

Newgarden added that picturesque Laguna Seca is “a real racer’s track” that has produced a number of iconic NTT IndyCar Series moments. “I think that’s part of the reason people that come out here,” Newgarden said. “They enjoy the history of motorsport, they understand INDYCAR racing really well. It’s a legendary track. We all enjoy being here.”

Pietro Fittipaldi – Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey – Photo by Chris Jones | IMS Photo

Native Brazilian Pietro Fittipaldi, grandson of two-time Indy 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi, produced one of his best outings in the 75-minute session. Pietro placed fifth at 1:08.0025/118.478 mph in the No. 30 Eurofarma Honda of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.

“First of all, it’s a beautiful track,” Fittipaldi said. “It’s my first time here so I was super-excited to get my first laps at Laguna Seca. It’s such a high-commitment track; there’s so many high-speed corners, the steering load is so heavy so you have to trust that the car is going to stick because if you lose the rear of the car, I don’t think you would be able to catch the car just because of how heavy the steering is.

“Our plan was to do as many laps as possible, which we did that (with 33). I think we were second-highest in laps-completed, so we did as many laps as we could and ended up P5. We did a lot of simulator work in preparation for coming here. Every time, even when I’m learning tracks, I’m more confident and comfortable with the car and able to get up to speed faster and faster. I’m happy that the progression keeps going.”

Pato O’Ward – Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey – (Photo by Joe Skibinski | IMS Photo)

Pato O’Ward was sixth at 1:08.0090/118.467 mph in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. “It’s the first time I’m racing here in the middle of the summer, but honestly it’s not as much of a change as I thought,” said O’Ward, a native of Mexico with family ties to San Antonio. “We worked on some stuff in the practice and made the car better. We still have some work to do, but we’re in a better position than where we started in Practice 1, so we’ll see what we’ve got (Saturday).”

Meanwhile, David Malukas and Nolan Siegel made highly anticipated debuts in sunny, cool Northern California. Malukas recently signed with Meyer Shank Racing after recovering from a wrist injury suffered during a mountain biking accident in February. That training mishap prompted Arrow McLaren to release Malukas from his contract before ever competing for the team. Malukas placed 25^th overall at 1:09.0206/116.730 mph in the No. 66 AutoNation/Arctic Wolf Honda.

Nolan Siegel, who signed a multi-year deal on Tuesday with Arrow McLaren, ended up 27th at 1:10.0019/115.094 mph in the No. 6 NTT DATA Chevrolet previously assigned to Frenchman Theo Pourchaire. The LMP2 winner in the No. 22 Prototype fielded by United Autosports in last Sunday’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, Siegel will drive the No. 6 Chevy for the 10 remaining INDYCAR races this season and 2025 and beyond.

Nolan Siegel – Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey – Photo by Chris Jones | IMS Photo

Siegel joins Arrow McLaren from HMD Motorsports in INDY NXT by Firestone.  The 19-year-old Californian was the 2023 INDY NXT Rookie of the Year. He has started three NTT IndyCar Series races this season _ with Dale Coyne Racing at The Thermal Club exhibition and on the Streets of Long Beach _ and a third for Juncos Hollinger Racing at Road America. Seigel also gained qualifying experience while failing to make the 33-car field with DCR for the 108^th Indianapolis 500 in May.

“I’m looking forward to jumping right in with the Arrow McLaren team and confirming my place in the NTT IndyCar Series in Papaya (Orange) moving forward,” Siegel said. “This is an unexpected jump, but I’m thrilled to be in this position after a rewarding run in the Indy NXT by Firestone series with HMD Motorsports. I’m looking forward to this new journey and learning alongside the entire team starting this weekend in my home state.

“We worked through some issues for a majority of the session, so we didn’t get a whole lot of laps in (17 total). It was difficult for me to get a read for everything and to get things figured out, but we’ll have more time (Saturday). The No. 6 NTT DATA Arrow McLaren Chevrolet is fast and I’m not worried about where we’ll end up, but it was a bit of a struggle to sit out for a chunk of the first practice.”

Gavin Ward, Team Principal of Arrow McLaren, said Siegel’s hiring is part of the organization’s plan for “stability and sustained growth” over the long-term. “First, I want to thank Théo for his time filling in on the No. 6 car with us in recent weeks,” Ward said. “We’ve been working through musical chairs all season, and ultimately, making this change to Nolan now that he’s available gives us the chance to build a foundation for the future. He’s a young, talented driver with an immense amount of experience at this stage of his career and we’re excited to continue on the upward journey together.”

Next practice is scheduled for 1 p.m. (EDT) Saturday, followed by NTT P1 Award qualifying at 5:15 p.m. Both sessions will be carried live on Peacock and the INDYCAR Radio Network. Live coverage of the 95-lap/212.61-mile race will start at 6 p.m. Sunday on the USA Network, Peacock and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

Louis Foster’s recent roll continued Friday at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, where the Brit was quickest overall in both practice sessions for the INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey double-header.

Louis Foster – INDY NXT By Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey – Photo by James Black

Foster topped the practice sheet at 1-minute, 12.4174-seconds/111.255 mph in the No. 26 Copart/Novara Technologies car fielded by Andretti Global. Foster and the other 19 drivers in the INDYCAR developmental series field each posted their best laps during the second of two, 25-minute sessions on the 2.238-mile/11-turn circuit that includes the famous “Corkscrew” turn complex.

“Today was a good day for us across both practice sessions,” Foster said. “The No. 26 crew gave me a great car that kept us strong the whole time. This was especially helpful with the winds and slick track conditions. We start qualifying (Saturday) in Group 2, and the aim is going to be to put it on-pole for both races.”

Foster has posted two victories and a runner-up finish in the last three races, pulling to within 19 points of championship leader Jacob Abel entering the final “twin bill” of the season.

Rookie Caio Collet was second at 1:12.5711/111.019 mph in the No. 18 HMD Motorsports entry, followed by teammate Reece Gold at 1:12.9806/110.396 mph in the No. 10 HMD car.

“I didn’t put a lap together in the end, which I think is what we’re missing,” Collett said. “But the car felt good the whole session, with new tires, especially. Hopefully we’ll have a great weekend.”

Championship leader Abel was fourth at 1:12.9993/110.368 mph in the No. 51 Abel Construction car fielded by Abel Motorsports, with James Roe completing the top five at 1:13.2113/110.049 mph in the No. 29 Topcon machine fielded by Andretti Global.

Jamie Chadwick ended up 10th at 1:13.6239/109.432 mph in the No. 28 VEXT car of Andretti Global in her first on-track session since becoming the series’ first female winner in nearly 14 years at Road America on June 9.

A hectic Saturday looms. The grid for both races will be set in a single qualifying session starting at noon (EDT) with coverage on INDYCAR Live and the INDYCAR Radio Network. Live coverage of the first of two 35-lap/78.33-mile/55-minute races will start at 3:25 p.m. Saturday on Peacock and the INDYCAR Radio Network. The second race is set for 3:55 p.m. Sunday.

ABC Supply Co. raised $5.2-million _ surpassing its original $4-million goal _ for the nonprofit Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) during its “Month of May” campaign at the 108^th Indianapolis 500 with partner A.J. Foyt Racing of Waller, Texas. ABC Supply matched the first $1-million in donations.

Photo courtesy of A.J. Foyt Racing

“We are so grateful and thrilled for the overwhelming support HFOT and our nation’s veterans received in May,” said Mike Jost, CEO of Wisconsin-based ABC Supply. “At ABC Supply, giving back is a fundamental part of who we are, and we are proud to celebrate our country by honoring veterans in such a remarkable way.”

ABC Supply has been a Platinum Level Partner of HFOT since 2020. HFOT builds and donates specially adapted custom homes for severely injured post-9/11 veterans, enabling them to rebuild their lives. Since 2004, HFOT has built 380 specially adapted homes. Ninety cents of every dollar HFOT spends goes directly toward the program of building homes for severely injured veterans.

“We are beyond grateful for ABC Supply’s sponsorship and support during the 2024 Indy 500,” said HFOT President/CEO Brig. Gen. (Retired) Tom Landwermeyer. “Their generous $1-million match was key to raising over $5.2-million and gave incredible visibility to our mission of ‘Building Homes and Rebuilding Lives’^.”

This May marked the third year ABC Supply has championed the month-long fund-raiser while inspiring the patriotic paint scheme on A.J. Foyt Racing’s No. 14 Chevrolet. Dallas resident Santino Ferrucci drove the car to an eighth-place finish after 200 laps around the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 26.

“What an achievement! We couldn’t be more proud to be part of this program with our friends at ABC Supply,” said Larry Foyt, president of A.J. Foyt Enterprises and son of A.J., first four-time champion of the Indy 500. “Santino and the entire team feel inspired having the veterans in our garage and racing the beautiful, patriotic Homes For Our Troops car. Great job by all to surpass the goal.”

Anyone wishing to support HFOT still can do so at https://www.hfotusa.org/.

2024 NTT IndyCar Series point standings _ 1, Will Power, Team Penske, 236; 2, Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing, 231; 3, Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing, 225; 4, Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren, 184; 5, Scott McLaughlin, Team Penske, 179; 6, Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti Global, 179; 7, Colton Herta, Andretti Global, 176; 8, Josef Newgarden, Team Penske, 169; 9, Alexander Rossi, Arrow McLaren, 162; 10, Felix Rosenqvist, Meyer Shank Racing, 157;

11, Christian Lundgaard, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, 141; 12, Santino Ferrucci, A.J. Foyt Racing, 132; 13, Marcus Ericsson, Andretti Global, 130; 14, Marcus Armstrong, Chip Ganassi Racing, 121; 15, Graham Rahal, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, 121; 16, Romain Grosjean, Juncos Hollinger Racing, 112; 17, Rinus VeeKay, Ed Carpenter Racing, 109; 18, Linus Lundqvist, Chip Ganassi Racing, 100; 19, Kyffin Simpson, Chip Ganassi Racing, 81; 20, Pietro Fittipaldi, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, 81;

21, Theo Pourchaire, Arrow McLaren, 75; 22, Augustin Canapino, Juncos Hollinger Racing, 74; 23, Sting Ray Robb, A.J. Foyt Racing, 68; 24, Christian Rasmussen, Ed Carpenter Racing, 65; 25, Jack Harvey, Dale Coyne Racing, 65; 26, Tom Blomqvist, Meyer Shank Racing, 46; 27, Callum Ilott, Arrow McLaren, 39; 28, Helio Castroneves, Meyer Shank Racing, 26; 29, Luca Ghiotto, Dale Coyne Racing, 22; 30, Conor Daly, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing-Cusick Motorsports, 21;

31, Kyle Larson, Hendrickcars.com Arrow McLaren, 21; 32, Takuma Sato, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, 19; 33, Nolan Siegel, Dale Coyne Racing, 17; 34, Ed Carpenter, Ed Carpenter Racing, 14; 35, Tristan Vautier, Dale Coyne Racing, 12; 36, Colin Braun, Dale Coyne Racing, 10; 37, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing-Cusick Motorsports, 6; 38, Marco Andretti, Andretti Herta with Marco & Curb Agajanian, 5; 39, Katherine Legge, Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing, 5.