Indianapolis Motor Speedway doesn’t give teams much time to find the right setup, and Friday’s shortened NASCAR Cup Series practice proved exactly why. Rain delayed the start of the session and cut 25 minutes from the schedule, leaving crews scrambling to gather as much information as possible before Sunday’s Brickyard 400.
Even with limited track time, the 2.5-mile rectangular oval revealed which teams were fast and those that still had work to do. Drivers battled changing track conditions, tire problems and mechanical setbacks throughout the afternoon, while the demanding entrance into Turn 1 continued to remind the field why Indianapolis remains one of NASCAR’s toughest tracks.
Some teams spent the session fighting issues instead of chasing lap times. Tire failures and electrical problems interrupted runs, forcing crews to adjust on the fly with little opportunity to recover. Others struggled to find the right balance as the track evolved, making every lap a valuable piece of information heading into qualifying.
Not everyone was left searching for answers. Toyota established itself as the early manufacturer to beat by placing multiple drivers near the top of the speed charts. Chevrolet, meanwhile, looked particularly strong over longer runs, an encouraging sign for teams focused on race pace rather than qualifying speed. Ford didn’t dominate the headlines, but several of its drivers quietly posted competitive laps that could translate into strong race-day performances.
The practice sheet also proved that being fast is only part of the story at Indy. Several teams that flashed quick single-lap pace fell off over extended runs, while others steadily improved as tires aged and fuel burned away. That balance will be critical over Sunday’s 160 laps, where handling and tire management often outweigh raw speed.
With so little time available, every decision carried extra importance. Crew chiefs had to determine whether to prioritize qualifying trim or focus on race setups, knowing there would be limited opportunities to correct mistakes before the green flag.
Friday’s practice didn’t set the starting lineup or decide the Brickyard 400, but it offered an early look at where each manufacturer stands entering one of NASCAR’s crown jewel events. Toyota leaves with momentum after setting the pace, Chevrolet appears well positioned for the long haul, and Ford remains close enough to challenge if it can capitalize on race conditions.
If the opening practice was any indication, Sunday’s Brickyard 400 won’t simply come down to who has the fastest car. Indianapolis has a long history of rewarding teams that adapt throughout the weekend, avoid costly mistakes and execute when the pressure is at its highest. Friday made one thing clear: the margin for error is already razor thin.
Driver-By- Driver Breakdown
Christopher Bell — 183.512 mph (P1)
Bell had the cleanest session of the afternoon, topping the practice charts with a 49.043‑second lap and showing a car that stayed planted through Indy’s flat corners. His No. 20 Toyota rotated well through the center and maintained stability over bumps, giving him one of the most complete packages heading into qualifying. Bell’s pace suggests he’ll be a major factor on Sunday if the balance holds.
John Hunter Nemechek — 183.180 mph (P2)
Nemechek unloaded with immediate speed, backing up Bell’s pace and keeping Toyota firmly in control of the session. His No. 42 entry showed sharp corner entry and strong mid‑corner rotation, though his long‑run averages dipped slightly compared to his single‑lap speed. Even so, his consistency across the session places him firmly in the top tier.
Ty Gibbs — 183.102 mph (P3)
Gibbs posted one of his most complete practice sessions of the season, ranking inside the top three in both outright speed and short‑run averages. His car looked settled on entry and carried speed through Turn 3, a corner where many drivers struggled. If his long‑run pace improves overnight, Gibbs could be a sleeper threat for the Brickyard.
Erik Jones — 182.830 mph (P4)
Jones delivered a standout performance to keep his No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota inside the top five. His straight‑line speed was among the best in the field, and his car handled Indy’s rough surface with minimal drama. Jones’ pace marks one of his strongest practice showings of the year and gives Legacy Motor Club momentum heading into the weekend.
Denny Hamlin — 182.697 mph (P5)
Hamlin fought early tightness but still landed P5 on the practice sheet and shows how quickly the No. 11 team at Joe Gibbs Racing adapted to the ever-changing conditions at Indianapolis. His long‑run pace improved as the surface dried, and his car looked more stable over extended runs. Hamlin’s experience at Indy makes him a reliable contender even if the balance isn’t perfect yet.
Kyle Larson — 182.634 mph (P6)
Larson led Chevrolet’s effort, ranking sixth in single‑lap speed and topping the 10‑lap average at 180.485 mph. His car looked the most stable over long runs, maintaining pace even as tires fell off. Larson’s ability to sustain speed at Indy’s demanding layout gives him one of the strongest race‑trim packages in the field.
William Byron — 182.590 mph (P7)
Byron showed strong corner‑exit speed and ranked inside the top five in consecutive‑lap averages, signaling a car that will likely improve as the weekend progresses. His No. 24 Chevrolet looked balanced and predictable, giving him a solid foundation heading into qualifying.
Chase Elliott — 182.540 mph (P8)
Elliott lingered around the top ten throughout practice. His pace was calm and competitive despite a mild oversteer through Turn 2. His long‑run averages were steady, and his team made noticeable gains as the track dried. Elliott’s consistency should translate well into race conditions.
Ryan Blaney — 182.526 mph (P9)
Blaney led Ford’s contingent with a top‑ten lap and showed strong straight‑line speed on Indy’s long frontstretch. His No. 12 Ford lacked rotation in Turn 1, which happens a lot at Indianapolis, but he had raw pace, and it gives Team Penske a solid starting point for the weekend.
Chris Buescher — 182.480 mph (P10)
Buescher ranked among the best in long‑run averages, showing a car that handled Indy’s abrasive surface with stability. His single‑lap speed wasn’t as sharp as the leaders, but his race‑trim pace looked competitive enough to keep him in the mix on Sunday.
Bubba Wallace — 182.310 mph (P12)
Wallace’s session included a scrape with the Turn 1 wall, damaging the right side of his No. 23 Toyota. Before the incident, he showed top‑15 speed and competitive long‑run pace. His team will need to make repairs, but the underlying speed was encouraging.
Shane van Gisbergen — 181.900 mph (P15)
Van Gisbergen brushed the wall exiting Turn 2 but maintained mid‑pack speed throughout the session. His car looked stable but lacked the top‑end pace needed to crack the top ten. SVG’s road‑course precision helped him manage Indy’s flat corners, but more speed is needed.
Austin Cindric — 181.750 mph (P17)
Electrical issues plagued Cindric’s session, limiting his track time and preventing him from posting representative laps. His speed was not reflective of his potential, and his team will need a clean Saturday to recover.
Ryan Preece — 181.300 mph (P20)
Preece’s left‑rear tire failure ended his session early, but before the issue, he hovered around 20th with a car that struggled for grip. His team will likely make significant overnight adjustments to improve stability.
Joey Logano — 181.250 mph (P21)
Logano fought corner‑entry issues and never found the speed needed to break into the top half of the field. His long‑run pace was slightly better, but the No. 22 Ford needs a major swing before qualifying.
Alex Bowman — 180.850 mph (P25)
Bowman struggled with grip on corner exit, forcing him to back up his entries and lose momentum down the straightaways. He’ll need a more secure rear end on corner exit if he wants to climb back into the competitive range during Saturday qualifying.
Tyler Reddick — 180.700 mph (P27)
Reddick fought loose conditions and struggled to find a rhythm. His long‑run pace stabilized slightly, but the No. 45 Toyota needs balance improvements to contend. He’ll have to find rear security on entry and better rotation through the center if he wants to climb out of the bottom third of the charts before qualifying.
Daniel Suárez — 180.500 mph (P29)
Suárez spent most of the session outside the top 25, battling a car that looked unpredictable over Indy’s bumps. His team will need a major setup shift before qualifying. He’ll need a calmer platform through the center of the corner if he wants to claw his way back into the midfield on Saturday.
Josh Berry — 180.300 mph (P31)
Berry’s car lacked rotation and straight‑line speed, leaving him near the bottom of the charts. His team will need a significant overnight adjustment to find competitive pace. He’ll need more stability on entry and a stronger pull down the long frontstretch if he wants to climb out of the lower tier before qualifying.
Corey LaJoie — 179.900 mph (P33)
LaJoie hovered near the bottom of the order with a car that looked tight and struggled for mid‑corner speed. His long‑run pace showed slight improvement, but he remains deep in the field. He’ll need a more responsive front end and better rotation through the center if he wants to climb out of the lower tier before qualifying.
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