By Steve Wittich
Patricio O’Ward led Aaron Telitz and Santi Urrutia, a pair of Belardi Auto Racing drivers, in the lone Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires practice session of the weekend. Victor Franzoni and Colton Herta were the other drivers in the top five.
The sole 45-minute Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires practice session began at 1:30 PM with perfect weather. The ambient temperature was 76F, with low humidity. The track temperature was 113F.
Most of the running involved group running, with drivers trying differing lines behind other cars. I spent some time at both ends of the track watching the action. It appears that the drivers are willing to use the low line in Turns 1 and 2, but that the bumps in Turn 3 and Turn 4 move them up to the second line.
There was a single yellow during the session for debris. The AMR INDYCAR Safety Team picked up some debris on the back straight.
O’Ward’s quick lap at 160.875mph was turned at the very end of the session.
A pair of the seven entries is partaking in their first Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires action at Iowa Speedway.
Patricio O’Ward has raced at the 0.894-mile tri-oval in Pro Mazda, starting sixth and finishing third as a 16-year-old rookie in 2015.
Reigning Pro Mazda Presented By Cooper Tire champion Victor Franzoni will be making his first race start at Iowa Speedway. The Juncos Racing pilot did complete a test program with the new PM-18 Pro Mazda last year.
Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires Practice #1 Results
RANK | CAR NO. | DRIVER | QUICK LAP | DIFF. | TOTAL LAPS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 27 | Pato O’Ward | 20.006 | –.—- | 57 |
2 | 9 | Aaron Telitz | 20.079 | 0.0739 | 74 |
3 | 5 | Santi Urrutia | 20.170 | 0.1647 | 67 |
4 | 23 | Victor Franzoni | 20.325 | 0.3192 | 65 |
5 | 98 | Colton Herta | 20.391 | 0.3857 | 53 |
6 | 28 | Dalton Kellett | 20.525 | 0.5190 | 60 |
7 | 48 | Ryan Norman | 20.559 | 0.5535 | 65 |
Indy Lights will back on track at 5 PM for qualifying.
Don’t miss any of the action:
- live timing – Indy Lights, and IndyCar Race Control
- on twitter –Indy Lights, Cooper Tire, Mazda Racing and TSO Ladder
- via the Road To Indy TV app – Android or Apple iOS
- on all social media channels via the #TeamCooperTire and #MRTI hashtags
The Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires race will air on NBCSN at 11 PM (ET) on Sunday, June 8th.