By Marshall Pruett September 3, 2022 1:15 PM
By Marshall Pruett | September 3, 2022 1:15 PM ET
Team Penske was fast throughout Saturday morning’s practice session for the NTT IndyCar Series at Portland International Raceway, making great use of the test day it used a week ago in preparation for the Portland Grand Prix.
Demonstrating impressive mechanical grip through the fast/slow Turn 1 chicane complex, championship leader Will Power (58.3946s) was followed closely by Penske teammates Josef Newgarden (58.4083s) and Scott McLaughlin (58.4910s) as the Chevy-powered trio were separated by a scant 0.096s.
After making significant changes to the rear suspension of his Andretti Autosport entry, Colton Herta shot to fourth (58.7201s) as the first among the Honda-powered drivers, but was a fair way behind Power (0.0325s) on a quick circuit.
More Honda runners slotted in behind Herta with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Christian Lundgaard, who was fast in the early going before falling down the order, responding with a late run to prepare for qualifying that was good enough for fifth (58.7463s). RLL teammate Graham Rahal completed the top six (58.7479s).
As a whole, the title-contending Chip Ganassi Racing team struggled, with its top representative being Scott Dixon in seventh (58.7686s), and elsewhere, Juncos Hollinger Racing’s Callum Ilott impressed with a lap that was good enough for ninth (58.8439s).
No red flags were required during the cool and overcast session; Dalton Kellett spun and continued at Turn 1.
The 2022 season marks Marshall Pruett's 36th year working in the sport. In his role today for RACER, Pruett covers open-wheel and sports car racing as a writer, reporter, photographer, and filmmaker. In his previous career, he served as a mechanic, engineer, and team manager in a variety of series, including IndyCar, IMSA, and World Challenge.
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