(ST. PETERSBURG, FL.) – The 2nd practice session for Sunday’s Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg brought damp conditions, creating a tricky surface and a very different competitive picture.

  • The session was described as “wild,” with multiple drivers sliding, locking up, or brushing walls.
  • Will Power in the No. 26 TWG AI Honda fielded by Andretti Global.suffered a heavy impact, and Christian Rasmussen in his No. 21 ECR Splenda Stevia Chevrolet into the wall—both incidents underscoring how little margin the St. Pete street circuit offers.

“I just locked the fronts,” Power said. “I wasn’t braking late. We had a lot of (brake) locking issues yesterday, so we changed brakes. We were hoping to fix the issue.”

“I lost the rear,” Rasmussen said. “Unfortunate way to start our qualifying day here. I just lost the rear in Turn 2.”

Results: Practice 2

Arrow McLaren’s Christian Lundgaard in the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet.topped the second session with a 1:01.6157, edging Marcus Armstrong (1:01.6592) in the No. 66 ROOT Insurance Honda fielded by Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb-Agajanian and the reigning and four-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Alex Palou (1:01.6947) in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.

  • Lundgaard’s speed in mixed conditions continues his trend of strong street‑course performances.
  • Armstrong and Palou kept MSR / Ganassi firmly in the mix, with both inside the top three.

What the day tells us

1. Penske and Ganassi look strong—but not alone
McLaughlin’s P1 on Friday and Palou’s consistency suggest the expected heavy hitters are already dialed in. But Lundgaard’s P1 in Practice 2 shows Arrow McLaren may be a real factor this weekend.

2. Conditions are shaping the weekend

Overcast skies and damp patches created unpredictable grip levels. Teams that adapt quickly—especially in qualifying—will have a major advantage.

3. New faces and new seats are already influencing the grid

Drivers in new rides, including Hauger and others, had mixed days. Some showed promise; others struggled with setup or reliability.

Up next: NTT P1 Award qualifying at 4:30 p.m. ET today. With qualifying looming, the field will shift focus to maximizing tire performance and nailing the narrow margins that define St. Petersburg. The top teams appear closely matched, and the damp Practice 2 session means many still haven’t shown their true pace.

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