Josef Newgarden posts 228.342 mph lap

Josef Newgarden ended final practice for the Indianapolis 500 atop the speed chart on Friday, turning a best lap of 228.342 mph in Team Penske’s No. 2 Chevrolet at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. IndyCar’s official recap said the two-time race winner led Miller Lite Carb Day practice before Sunday’s 110th running of the race, even though he is set to start 23rd in the 33-car field. (indycar.com) IndyStar also listed Newgarden first on the final-practice leaderboard. The Friday session was the last full-track practice before race day. Carb Day is traditionally the final on-track tune-up for the Indianapolis 500, giving teams a two-hour window to check race trim, traffic behavior and reliability before the field is locked in for Sunday. (nytimes.com) ### Why does Newgarden’s lap stand out if he starts 23rd? Josef Newgarden will roll off from the middle of Row 8 on Sunday, but his Friday speed reinforced how much attention his car still commands entering the race. IndyCar said Newgarden also led the rain-shortened post-qualifying practice on Monday at 226.198 mph, making him quickest in both of the final two practice sessions before the race. (indycar.com) Newgarden told IndyCar after practice that his car “feels OK” but added that Friday pace would matter less than Sunday performance. IndyCar attributed the comment to the Team Penske driver after his session-leading run. (indycar.com) ### Who else showed pace in Carb Day practice? Scott McLaughlin was among the quickest cars in the session behind Newgarden, according to practice reports published after Carb Day. The final-practice order underscored Team Penske’s presence near the top of the chart heading into race weekend. (indycar.com) Scott Dixon’s day was notable for a different reason. IndyCar said Dixon logged 96 laps in the No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, the most of any driver in the session, giving Chip Ganassi Racing the busiest car on track during the final rehearsal. (indycar.com) ### What is Carb Day actually for? Friday’s Carb Day session is less about qualifying order than race preparation. Teams use the final practice to evaluate fuel mileage, balance in traffic and how cars react in packs, all under conditions closer to the race than solo qualifying runs. IndyCar scheduled the session as the last chance for changes before the Indianapolis 500. (indycar.com) Alexander Rossi also used Carb Day to complete the final requirement needed for him to drive in Sunday’s race, according to WTHR, making the session important for more than just speed. (indycar.com) ### What should viewers know before Sunday? Alex Palou is set to start from the pole for the 110th Indianapolis 500, according to race-weekend coverage from The Athletic and other outlets. That leaves Newgarden trying to move forward from 23rd despite showing front-running speed in practice. (indycar.com) The 110th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled to begin Sunday, May 24, at 12:45 p.m. ET. The Athletic reported that Caitlin Clark will serve as grand marshal, Curt Cignetti will drive the honorary pace car and Brendan Fraser will wave the green flag as honorary starter. (indycar.com) (nytimes.com)