After securing his third win of the season last week, Kyle Kirkwood also set the fastest time during Friday practice at Road America. The Andretti Global driver clocked his quickest lap during a qualifying simulation, just before a red flag caused by Alexander Rossi effectively ended the session. Devlin DeFrancesco was a surprising second on the timesheets, ahead of Will Power.

Unlike previous first practice sessions this year, the field was not split during the final half hour. At 4 miles long, the Road America circuit provides enough space for all 27 drivers to complete qualifying simulations without overcrowding.

With 75 minutes of practice time available, it took longer for truly competitive lap times to be posted. Christian Lundgaard led the early part of the session before being bumped from the top spot by Santino Ferrucci. After 35 minutes, Alex Palou took to the track and recorded the fastest time so far on only his fourth flying lap.

The session ran largely without incident, apart from numerous drivers locking up into Turn 5 and running into the runoff area. With 17 minutes remaining, the red flag came out for the first time after Ferrucci went off at Turn 13. The American managed to keep his #14 car out of the wall and was able to return to the pits under his own power.

Following the restart, many drivers bolted on the softer, alternate Firestone tires. Palou improved only slightly, while others found significant gains. Devlin DeFrancesco shocked the field by jumping to P1 with a time that even Penske drivers Will Power, Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin couldn't match.

Kyle Kirkwood then took over the top spot just before the session's second red flag. During a qualifying simulation, Alexander Rossi spun into the gravel at Turn 1 in unusual fashion. The Ed Carpenter Racing driver appeared to be dealing with an issue, as he turned in late and lost control of the car.

With just 50 seconds left on the clock, the session resumed. Many drivers assumed they would be allowed one final timed lap by race control. However, that turned out not to be the case, preventing Ferrucci, Felix Rosenqvist, Marcus Armstrong, Pato O’Ward, Scott Dixon, Rinus VeeKay, Graham Rahal, Colton Herta, Christian Rasmussen and Sting Ray Robb from setting a lap time on the softer compound.

The checkered flag meant Kirkwood ended the day as the fastest driver, ahead of the surprising DeFrancesco and Power.

Full results of the 1st free practice session on Road America