McLaughlin fastest after first practice session at Java House Grand Prix of Arlington
Scott McLaughlin – Java House Grand Prix of Arlington – Photo by Chris Jones
By Mike Haag, Raceday San Antonio
ARLINGTON, Texas – Scott McLaughlin was the fastest during the first practice session on Friday for the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington.
Scott McLaughlin – Java House Grand Prix of Arlington – Photo by Joe Skibinski
McLaughlin led the 80-minute first session in his No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet with a best lap time of 1 minute, 34.8926 seconds as he raced around the 14-turn, 2.73-mile temporary street circuit that circles around AT&T Stadium, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, and Globe Life Field, home of MLB’s Texas Rangers.
“That is instantly my most favorite street circuit ever,” McLaughlin said. “That is such a blast. The DEX Chevy feels great. It’s just an absolute ball to drive. I’m like a little kid again. This is great.”
McLaughlin, who won the pole for the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on February 28, will be one of 25 drivers who will attempt to capture the NTT P1 Award during qualifying Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Qualifying will air live on FS2, FOX One, FOX Sports app and INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls. Prior to qualifying, INDYCAR officials will hold another 80-minute practice session at 9:35 a.m.
Alex Palou – Java House Grand Prix of Arlington – Photo by Joe Skibinski
The inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington will be held on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. The 70-lap race is a joint venture between INDYCAR, the Cowboys and the Rangers. It will air live on FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX One, FOX Sports app, and INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls.
Alex Palou, the defending and four-time INDYCAR series champion, was second in practice after posting a 1:34.9513 lap in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. He won the season opener in St. Petersburg, Florida and his is hoping to rebound this weekend after crashing and finishing 24th at the last weekend’s race Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix Raceway.
Will Power was third fastest at 1:35.3051 in the No. 26 TWG AI Honda fielded by Andretti Global. Pato O’Ward ended up fourth at 1:35.3641 in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet and Felix Rosenqvist rounded out the top five at 1:35.3775 in the No. 60 SiriusXM/Texas A&M Honda of Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian.
Felix Rosenqvist – Java House Grand Prix of Arlington – Photo by Chris Jones
“The track (surface) is a little rougher than we expected,” said Rosenqvist, who avoid a near disaster after tagging the concrete barrier near the final turn late in the practice session. “Good fun, though. They did a great job on the layout.”
Points leader Josef Newgarden, who won last week in Phoenix, was 16th on the charts with a 1:36.3108 time in his No. 2 PPG Team Penske Chevrolet. 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone champion Dennis Hauger was the quickest rookie, 10th overall at 1:36.0528 in the No. 19 Ault Block Chain Honda of Dale Coyne Racing.
The practice session was red flagged twice when Sting Ray Robb hit the wall in Turn 1 in the No. 77 Juncos Hollinger Goodheart Chevrolet and when Robb’s teammate, Rinus VeeKay, drove into the runoff area in Turn 10 at the end of the long backstraight. His car started smoking and briefly caught fire near the rear wheels on his No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet.
