SEBRING, FL – The NTT INDYCAR SERIES recently concluded a private team test at Sebring International Raceway, offering a valuable early look at potential contenders for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and the broader season. While not an officially designated Open Test, the two days of running provided ample data points as teams fine-tuned their setups for the year ahead. Twenty-four drivers took to the challenging 1.67-mile road course, a layout intentionally chosen for its similarities to the temporary street circuits that characterize much of the INDYCAR SERIES schedule.
Armstrong Signals Championship Potential
Marcus Armstrong of Meyer Shank Racing emerged as a standout performer during the test, consistently demonstrating pace and suggesting a potential leap forward in his second full-time season. After achieving a career-best eighth-place finish in the championship, Armstrong topped the time sheets in both sessions he participated in. His quickest lap of 52.373 seconds on Tuesday morning was the fastest building on a pace-setting performance of 52.847 seconds on Monday afternoon. While his Monday afternoon time was fifth overall for the day – behind Alex Palou (52.626), Felix Rosenqvist (52.650), Rinus VeeKay (52.756), and Josef Newgarden (52.846) – his consistent speed across both days positions him as a driver to watch closely as a potential breakout star and a contender for his first career NTT INDYCAR SERIES victory.
Palou Remains a Force
Reigning and four-time series champion Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing unsurprisingly set the pace in the opening session on Monday, recording a lap of 52.626 seconds. The dominant force of the season, where he secured eight wins in 17 races, Palou demonstrated he remains a formidable competitor. His consistency and ability to quickly adapt to track conditions continue to make him the driver to beat.
Beyond the Top Times: Key Observations
Beyond Armstrong and Palou’s headline performances, several other storylines emerged from the Sebring test. Curt Cavin noted the positive performance of both Armstrong and Felix Rosenqvist for Meyer Shank Racing, suggesting the team is building on a successful season and benefiting from their technical alliance with Chip Ganassi Racing. Cavin also highlighted Armstrong’s ambitious goal of finishing in the top three in points, acknowledging the competitive landscape and the depth of talent within the series.
Eric Smith focused on Scott Dixon’s improved performance compared to last year’s Sebring test, where a mechanical issue and subsequent crash hampered his running. Dixon’s seventh and second-place finishes in the Monday and Tuesday afternoon sessions, respectively, indicate a positive trajectory for the veteran driver. Smith also pointed to Dixon’s strong oval racing record and his potential to contend for a record-tying seventh series championship.
Arni Sribhen drew attention to Juncos Hollinger Racing’s impressive showing, with Rinus VeeKay and Sting Ray Robb consistently placing among the top drivers in multiple sessions. Sribhen suggested this could be a sign of a potential breakout season for the team, particularly on road and street circuits.
Paul Kelly emphasized Kyle Kirkwood’s potential to step forward as the leader of Andretti Global, citing his fifth-place finish in Monday’s morning session and a strong performance in Tuesday’s afternoon session, where he posted a lap time just a tenth of a second slower than Armstrong’s fastest lap. Kelly also highlighted the promising performance of Caio Collet for AJ Foyt Racing, noting that he was the quickest of the full-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES rookies during the test.
Looking Ahead to Phoenix
As teams now turn their attention to next week’s Unser INDYCAR Open Test at Phoenix Raceway, several drivers are poised to make a statement on the oval. Cavin is keeping a close eye on David Malukas, who has excelled on short ovals in his career and is making his debut with Team Penske. Smith, meanwhile, is again focusing on Scott Dixon, citing his strong testing results at Phoenix in November and his impressive oval racing record. Kelly is particularly interested in Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, noting the team’s significant management changes and the need to improve their oval racing program.
The Phoenix test will be crucial for teams to prepare for the season’s oval races, including the Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix on . With access to the test open to fans on , it promises to be an exciting preview of the upcoming season.
