Scott McLaughlin has always been fast at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, and today was no exception. McLaughlin turned the fastest lap in the opening practice session during a Friday practice which had several red flags.

In the first small group session, Josef Newgarden got loose,slid through the grass, and made slight wall contact. In the biggest incident of the day, Scott Dixon had a major head hit in turn 8. David Malukas tried toed to squeeze between the wall and Dixon’s disabled car. Malukas ran over some large pieces of debris.

Late in group 2 Louis Foster hit the wall in turn 14. Dennis Hauger lost a spring and also brought out a red flag.

In a press availability after practice, Newgarden said that tires are still an unknown factor, but he believes the red alternate might be the better tire this weekend. A warmer sunnier Sunday may change that thinking. Newgarden said no one knows how the Firestone tires will perform with the rubber from the truck race on the track for qualifying.

Results

Notes

The St. Pete Grand Prix does very little wrong, but one thing needs to be addressed. The Victory Circle behind the main grandstand has not added a new winner’s plaque since Colton Herta affixed his sign in 2022 for his 2021 win.

While Herta’s name completed the front side of the pillar, the other side has holes predrilled for subsequent winners, yet it stands barren.

Through 2022, the previous year’s winner attaching the plaque with his name on it to the wall was a part of the weekend schedule. It hasn’t been done for the last few years. Imagine IMS not attaching the winner to te the Borg Warner trophy. I hope Green Savoree restores this tradition soon.

Friday saw one of the largest Friday crowds I have ever seen at St. Pete. On my way to the the turn 10 grandstand for IndyCar practice, the stand looked completely full- for practice; on a Friday. It makesme think tomorrow and Sunday are going to be jam packed.

Thanks for following along today. I’ll be back in the morning with a preview of qualifying.