O’Ward leads Jones, Grosjean in eight-car Laguna Seca test
Arrow McLaren SP’s Patricio O’Ward led a small group of IndyCar testers at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on Monday, while Dale Coyne Racing's Ed Jones and debutant Romain Grosjean also showed strong pace.
O’Ward, who finished fourth in the 2020 NTT IndyCar Series points standings, lapped the classic 2.238-mile course in Monterey, CA., in 1min11.293sec.
That meant he was two-tenths of a second clear of IndyCar returnee Ed Jones, who was just four-hundredths ahead of his Dale Coyne Racing teammate, ex-Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean.
Felix Rosenqvist made it two Arrow McLaren SP cars in the top four, while Meyer Shank Racing’s fulltimer Jack Harvey finished the day fifth, 0.4sec from top spot.
Rinus VeeKay was the sole Ed Carpenter Racing-Chevrolet driver in action today, and wound up half a second off the ultimate pace.
Two Indy car superstars and former Team Penske teammates in both IndyCar and IMSA Prototypes, were also in action today. Juan Pablo Montoya, who has been confirmed in a third Arrow McLaren SP-Chevy for the Indianapolis 500 but will also likely run the Indy Grand Prix on the road course, finished the day 0.926 from top spot. The former CART Indy car champion and two-time Indy 500 winner has not raced a road course in an open-wheel car since May 2017.
Meanwhile Helio Castroneves, who’ll race for Meyer Shank Racing in six events this year, ended the day 1.5sec from top spot. The three-time Indy 500 winner’s last IndyCar experience on a road course is more recent than Montoya’s, having subbed for Oliver Askew at AMSP last October.
| RANK | # | DRIVER | TEAM | ENGINE | FASTEST | DIFF. | TOTAL |
| 1 | 5 | Pato O’Ward | Arrow McLaren SP | Chevrolet | 71.293 |
| 83 |
| 2 | 18 | Ed Jones | Dale Coyne Racing With Vasser-Sullivan | Honda | 71.529 | -0.236 | 104 |
| 3 | 51 | Romain Grosjean | Dale Coyne Racing w/Rick Ware Racing | Honda | 71.571 | -0.278 | 109 |
| 4 | 7 | Felix Rosenqvist | Arrow McLaren SP | Chevrolet | 71.600 | -0.307 | 92 |
| 5 | 60 | Jack Harvey | Meyer-Shank Racing | Honda | 71.688 | -0.395 | 81 |
| 6 | 21 | Rinus VeeKay | Ed Carpenter Racing | Chevrolet | 71.797 | -0.504 | 104 |
| 7 | 86 | Juan Montoya | Arrow McLaren SP | Chevrolet | 72.219 | -0.926 | 75 |
| 8 | 06 | Helio Castroneves | Meyer-Shank Racing | Honda | 72.812 | -1.519 | 91 |
Marco Andretti considering IMSA LMP3 outings with cousin
Grosjean “more confident” after second IndyCar test
Ranking the top 10 IndyCar drivers of 2021
In an enthralling 2021 IndyCar campaign, the series bounced back from its COVID-19 truncated year prior and series sophomore Alex Palou defeated both the established order and his fellow young guns to clinch a maiden title. It capped a remarkable season with plenty of standout performers
How Marcus Ericsson finally unlocked his potential in IndyCar
Marcus Ericsson enjoyed a breakout year in the IndyCar Series in 2021, winning twice and finishing sixth in points with Chip Ganassi Racing. How did he finally unlock the potential that was masked by five years of toil in Formula 1 with Caterham and Sauber/Alfa Romeo?
Remembering Dan Wheldon and his last and most amazing win
Saturday, Oct. 16th, marks the 10th anniversary Dan Wheldon’s death. David Malsher-Lopez pays tribute, then asks Wheldon’s race engineer from 2011, Todd Malloy, to recall that magical second victory at the Indianapolis 500.
Have Harvey and RLL formed IndyCar’s next winning match-up?
Jack Harvey’s move to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing sparked plenty of debate, but their combined strength could prove golden, says David Malsher-Lopez.
Why Kyle Kirkwood is America's new IndyCar ace-in-waiting
Kyle Kirkwood, the record-setting junior formula driver, sealed the Indy Lights championship last weekend. But despite an absurdly strong résumé and scholarship money, his next move is far from clear. By David Malsher-Lopez.
2021 IndyCar title is just the start for Ganassi's newest star
Alex Palou has captured Chip Ganassi Racing's 14th IndyCar drivers' championship, and in truly stellar manner. David Malsher-Lopez explains what made the Palou-Ganassi combo so potent so soon.
Why Grosjean's oval commitment shows he's serious about IndyCar
One of motorsport’s worst-kept secrets now out in the open, and Romain Grosjean has been confirmed as an Andretti Autosport IndyCar driver in 2022. It marks a remarkable turnaround after the abrupt end to his Formula 1 career, and is a firm indication of his commitment to challenge for the IndyCar Series title
IndyCar’s longest silly-season is still at fever pitch
The 2021 IndyCar silly season is one of the silliest of all, but it’s satisfying to see so many talented drivers in play – including Callum Ilott. David Malsher-Lopez reports.