Rookies Blaze Trail at Indy 500 Pre-Race Test

0:00On April 28th, the pre-race test for the 110th Indianapolis 500 kicked off this week at the 2.5 mile oval in, Indianapolis. All 33 drivers set for the May 24th race are taking part over two days, Tuesday and Wednesday. A big focus was the rookie orientation program where newbies have to hit specific speed stages to qualify for practice, quals and the race itself. Three full-time rookies in the 2026 IndyCar field, Mick Schumacher, Dennis Halger and Kyle Kalei and Tyle Kalei tackled their first pass-lapse Tuesday. Afternoon. They all cleared the three phases, 10 laps averaging 205 to 210 miles per hour, then 15 at 205 to 205. 115 and, finally, 15 more over 215. Jacob Able, who bumped out last year, also passed in his family team's number 51 car. Earlier that morning, veterans got the track first. Two-time winner Joseph Newgarden topped the session at 223.415 miles per hour.

1:03Thanks to a Pinske slipstream, train. Takuma Sato came second, with Pato Award, right behind solid times all around under cloudy skies. The test rolls on Wednesday, with the oval open to everyone till 6 p.m. local time today. Refreshes like Ed Carpenter, Helio Castroneves and Catherine Leguet are joining, the Leguet's number 11 car hit technical snags and set out so far. These early laps set the tone for what's shaping up to be a fierce Indy 500 eyes on how these speeds build come race day. You've been listening to F1 News today, AI-powered team coverage.