Pato O'Ward tops practice, seeks to end 12-race podium drought

Pato O'Ward topped opening practice for the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway, posting the fastest lap of the 60-minute session in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren. O'Ward turned a 26.0574-second lap (172.696 mph) on his final timed attempt, highlighting Arrow McLaren's short‑run speed as teams prepared for qualifying and the race weekend.

Alex Palou was second (172.238 mph) and Felix Rosenqvist third (172.073 mph). Marcus Armstrong and Marcus Ericsson rounded out the top five; Ericsson posted a 26.2129-second lap. David Malukas was sixth, and Alexander Rossi, Scott McLaughlin, Kyle Kirkwood and Scott Dixon completed the top 10 in opening practice.

O'Ward entered the weekend seeking to end a 12-race podium drought since his July win in Toronto; he has finished fourth or fifth six times in eight starts this season and has four previous second-place finishes at the 1.25-mile oval.

The hour-long session featured all 25 drivers and began quietly as teams spent the first 10 minutes checking systems before the track grew busier. Observers noted slightly lower speeds than in past years, attributed in part to a lower downforce package and to hot, humid weather. Media accounts varied on incidents: some reported a single late caution when Rinus VeeKay spun and backed into the SAFER barrier and was unhurt, while others described the session as running without major interruptions.

NTT P1 Award qualifying is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET on FS2, final practice is set for 8–10 p.m. ET on FS1, and the 260-lap Bommarito Automotive Group 500 is set for 9 p.m. ET Sunday on FOX.