Josef Newgarden ended the only practice session of the Milwaukee Mile race weekend fastest. The Team Penske driver set the quickest time late in the session, ahead of a surprising Dennis Hauger and Alex Palou. The session was packed with action, as it was the only opportunity to prepare for two races, with three drivers ending their day in the wall.

Palou quickly moves to the top

Due to the format of the race weekend, practice was the only opportunity for teams to set up their cars for both qualifying and the races. They were helped by the fact that all teams tested at the Milwaukee Mile in July, when Scott McLaughlin was more than one mile per hour faster than the rest of the field, led by Rinus VeeKay. The limited track time this weekend did, however, mean that the track quickly became crowded.

Championship leader Alex Palou showed his pace immediately and moved to the top of the timesheets within just a few laps, where he remained for a long time. Teammate Scott Dixon initially held second, but midway through the session, drivers such as Alexander Rossi, Kyle Kirkwood and Pato O’Ward moved ahead of him.

Three drivers end practice in the wall

One driver who barely got any running was Nolan Siegel. On just his third lap, the Arrow McLaren driver took too low a line through Turn 2, was caught out by the grip available there and spun backward into the wall. Siegel was able to climb out unhurt, but his car sustained too much damage to continue the session.

The biggest crash of the session came with 23 minutes remaining. Kirkwood was running side-by-side with Christian Rasmussen on the straight leading to Turn 3, when Rasmussen turned in while Kirkwood was still alongside him. The two cars made contact, sending Kirkwood into a spin and taking Rasmussen with him. Rasmussen’s #21 car became wedged between Kirkwood’s car and the wall, briefly launching the car into the air. Both drivers were able to climb out unhurt, but both cars sustained significant damage.

Newgarden knocks Palou off the top spot

Once the track was cleared, Newgarden quickly set the fastest time of the day, while Dennis Hauger surprised by moving into second. Palou dropped to third, ahead of David Malukas and Rinus VeeKay in fourth and fifth.

Full results of the 1st free practice session on Milwaukee Mile