Meyer Shank Racing posts 1-2 as Armstrong leads opener

Marcus Armstrong put Meyer Shank Racing on top of Friday’s opening IndyCar practice at Road America, giving the team a 1-2 result with Felix Rosenqvist. Armstrong’s best lap was listed as 1:44.2417 at 138.585 mph in one timing report and 1:44.2714 in another. Rosenqvist was second, and series leader and reigning Road America winner Alex Palou was third.

Pato O’Ward and Nolan Siegel completed an Arrow McLaren 4-5 finish behind the top three, Caio Collet was sixth as the fastest rookie, and Mick Schumacher was eighth. Chevrolet-powered cars filled the positions behind the top three Honda entries, while Kyle Kirkwood placed 15th. Armstrong said the car felt fast right away, but the team still had speed to find. He and O’Ward also noted that tire degradation appeared higher than usual, with little difference between the red and black tires, which could shape strategy later in the weekend.

The session was interrupted when Sting Ray Robb spun in Turn 14, hit the tire barriers and brought out a red flag. Robb was towed back to pit lane, was not injured and received a five-minute penalty for causing the stoppage. Armstrong also picked up an early drive-through penalty for speeding in pit lane, and Josef Newgarden finished 14th as he continues to recover from a left foot injury suffered in the Indianapolis 500, with Felipe Nasr on standby as a possible replacement. The series returned to the 4.014-mile circuit Saturday at 10 a.m. CT for second practice.