The full suite of IndyCar’s full season rookies took to Indianapolis Motor Speedway Wednesday afternoon in order to complete their rookie orientation program ahead of this year’s Indy 500.
Five rookies in total were on track during a dedicated timeslot that allowed them to get up to speed slowly and safely via a mandated procedure.
After completing a few laps just above 205 MPH, each driver was allowed to run laps between 205 MPH and 215 MPH before completing the final phase at over 215 MPH.
Officials from the series evaluated their laps and made sure they were comfortable with the high speeds before signing off to allow them to run with the rest of the field on track at the same time.
Even though multiple drivers were on track at the same time, they were instructed to keep distance from one another in order to get a feel for the speed without any aerodynamic side effects.
Callum Ilott went the fastest during the two hour session with a lap of 222.184 MPH, although overall speed was not so much a focal point as learning the ins and outs of the track.
A few other drivers who do not run full the full IndyCar season were deemed in need of a refresher as well, and joined the rookies on track to get themselves back in the correct mindset.
Now that all 32 drivers are up to speed, literally and figuratively, they will hit the track together for a longer open test session in the afternoon.
Another open session will be available on Thursday as well, which will be the final running on the 2.5-mile oval until official practice for the Indy 500 begins on May 17.
