The four Team Penske-Chevrolets were the only Fast Nine contenders on track in final practice before qualifying, and it was Simon Pagenaud’s #22 car that moved to the head of the no-tow speeds with a stout 229.409mph lap. Pagenaud completed only one qualifying simulation, but it was enough to lead his teammates Helio Castroneves, Josef Newgarden and Will Power in that order. Pagenaud’s top lap was 0.2mph faster than Castroneves’ best, although the four Penskes were covered by just 0.4mph, and all in the 229s. Judging by Saturday’s pace, their main opposition will come from Ed Carpenter, whose ECR-Chevy was second fastest yesterday, behind Castroneves. Carpenter took pole for Indy in...
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