Top Indy 500 Open Test Highlights: Daly Leads, Grosjean’s Bird Incident & Rookie Standouts

Conor Daly set the pace on the opening day of the 2026 Indianapolis 500 Open Test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, leading a field packed with experience and emerging talent. The Noblesville, Indiana, native topped the speed charts with a lap of 225.394 mph in his No. 23 Chevrolet, outpacing a group of former Indianapolis 500 winners and rookie sensations.

Daly Edges Out Four-Time Winners in Final Minutes

The Dreyer & Reinbold Racing driver’s fastest lap came in the final minutes of Tuesday’s session, eclipsing a quartet of Indianapolis 500 champions. Helio Castroneves, a four-time winner, finished second with a best lap of 225.187 mph in Meyer Shank Racing’s No. 06 entry. Takuma Sato, another two-time winner, placed third at 225.012 mph, while 2021 champion Marcus Ericsson rounded out the top four with a lap of 224.899 mph.

Daly, who competes in the Indianapolis 500 on a part-time basis, expressed satisfaction with his team’s preparation. “The car felt really good out there,” Daly said. “We made some adjustments in the morning, and the guys gave me a great setup. It’s always special to lead the speed chart at Indy, but we know there’s still a lot of work to do.”

Rookies and Refresher Drivers Show Promise

While the top of the speed chart was dominated by veterans, the day also highlighted the progress of first-time oval drivers. Oliver Harvey, a rookie, led the Rookie/Refresher session with a lap of 221.145 mph, demonstrating confidence on the famed 2.5-mile oval. Harvey’s performance stood out among a group of newcomers, including Formula 1 convert Mick Schumacher, who completed his first laps on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval.

Schumacher, who has transitioned to INDYCAR full-time in 2026, described his initial experience as positive. “It was good,” Schumacher said. “The car felt stable, and the team gave me a lot of confidence. There’s a lot to learn, but I’m happy with how today went.”

The Rookie/Refresher session also featured other notable names, including former Formula 2 champion Felipe Drugovich and sports car standout Tomoki Nojiri, both of whom are adapting to the demands of oval racing.

Incident-Free Day Marred by Unusual Wildlife Encounter

Tuesday’s session proceeded without major incidents, though Romain Grosjean’s run was briefly interrupted by an unexpected encounter. The Andretti Global driver inadvertently struck a bird during his out lap, an unusual but not unprecedented occurrence at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Grosjean’s team reported no damage to the car, and he continued his session without further issues.

“It’s one of those things that happens,” Grosjean said. “You don’t expect it, but you just have to keep going. The car felt fine, so it was no problem.”

Schedule and Forecast for Day 2

The Indianapolis 500 Open Test continues Wednesday with a second day of on-track activity. The session is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. ET and run until 6 p.m. ET, weather permitting. Forecasts predict partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the mid-70s, ideal conditions for testing.

Fans can watch live coverage of Wednesday’s session on the official INDYCAR website and the INDYCAR YouTube channel. The test serves as a critical opportunity for teams to fine-tune their setups ahead of the Indianapolis 500, which is scheduled for May 25, 2026.

Key Storylines Heading Into Wednesday

With Daly setting the early benchmark, attention will turn to whether the veteran drivers can maintain their advantage or if the rookies and younger competitors can close the gap. Teams will also focus on long-run pace, a critical factor in race strategy for the Indianapolis 500.

Another storyline to watch is the performance of the Chevrolet and Honda engines. Daly’s top speed in a Chevrolet-powered entry suggests the manufacturer remains competitive, but Honda-powered teams, including those of Castroneves and Sato, were close behind. The battle between the two engine suppliers is expected to be a defining factor in the upcoming race.

For the rookies, Wednesday’s session will be an opportunity to build on their initial progress. Schumacher, in particular, will aim to improve his comfort level on the oval, while Harvey and Drugovich will look to solidify their positions among the top first-year drivers.

The Indianapolis 500 Open Test concludes Wednesday, setting the stage for the final preparations before the 107th running of the iconic race. With a mix of experience and new talent, the field is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent years.