Three IndyCar rookies took to the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval for the first time on Wednesday, turning high speed laps on the banking.
Linus Lundqvist, Marcus Armstrong, and Tom Blomqvist all participated, with Chip Ganassi Racing and Meyer Shank Racing providing the machinery and support.
The Rookie Orientation Program is required for first-time participants in the Indianapolis 500, and is designed to give drivers a chance to get used to the high speeds and unique challenges.
Each driver completed 10 laps between 205 and 210 MPH, then 10 more laps between 210 and 215 MPH, then was released to run above 215 MPH to complete the certification process.
IndyCar officials watched on during the entire session, and gave their approval of each drivers’ capabilities at each stage.
All three drivers completed their orientation before the lunch break, and now have permission to compete in the Indianapolis 500 proceedings next May.
Lundqvist was the first to complete his program, running 54 laps despite his car coming to a stop on track 90 minutes into the morning session.
The issue was quickly resolved, however, and he continued on his way shortly after his car was towed back to pit lane.
His fastest lap of the two hour morning session was the fastest of all three drivers, and was completed at an average pace of 219.504 MPH.
“What a place this is!” said Lundqvist after his runs. “So many times you’ve been here as a fan, as a bystander watching everyone else race. Now to be able to drive it myself, it’s incredible. It’s so fast.
“The history and legacy of this place, it feels surreal, honestly, driving it. It was actually my first time ever in a Chip Ganassi Racing car as well, so kind of double happiness for me this morning.
“We have a lunch break, going to go back out this afternoon again to learn a little bit more. It’s going to take a long time for this smile to fade off my face.”
All three drivers will complete more laps in the afternoon, and will use their three allocated sets of Firestone tires to get as much practice in as they can.
Kyle Larson will be on track on Thursday to run through his own orientation program, and then the 2.5-mile speedway will be dedicated to testing of IndyCar’s new hybrid engine package for the remainder of the week.
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