Weathering the Storm: Alex Palou Leads Day 2 of Indy 500 Practice

The second day of practice for the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 was anything but smooth, thanks to intermittent weather disruptions. But none of it fazed Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou, who put in a blistering lap at 227.546 mph to top the charts. Palou’s pace reaffirmed why he's considered one of the favorites heading into the Month of May.

Hot on his heels were Team Penske teammates Will Power (225.584 mph) and Josef Newgarden (225.545 mph), both showcasing strong early form as they dial in their race setups.

Weather Challenges Persist

Rain in the morning delayed the green flag until 1:08 PM ET. Just when the session found rhythm, lightning forced a red flag around 4:00 PM, pausing action for 54 minutes. A light rain at 5:16 PM caused another 15 minute stoppage. Still, teams used the available track time wisely, focusing on long runs, pack dynamics, and fuel strategy.

Rookie Spotlight: Kyle Larson’s Progress

Kyle Larson continues to impress in his transition from NASCAR to IndyCar. After logging 47 laps on Day 1, the Arrow McLaren driver doubled his output on Day 2, completing 103 laps with a best speed of 223.985 mph. His confidence is clearly growing, and his performance suggests he's ready to be a real factor this month.

Looking Ahead: Fast Friday Approaches

With two days of running in the books, attention now shifts to “Fast Friday.” Teams will receive increased turbo boost levels, leading to a significant bump in speeds, essential prep before this weekend’s all important qualifying runs. Expect fireworks as drivers push their limits and show their true one-lap pace.

Top 10 Speeds from Practice Day 2:

1. Alex Palou – 227.546 mph

2. Will Power – 225.584 mph

3. Josef Newgarden – 225.545 mph

4. Scott Dixon – 224.897 mph

5. Pato O’Ward – 224.719 mph

6. Marcus Ericsson – 224.580 mph

7. Colton Herta – 224.476 mph

8. Felix Rosenqvist – 224.401 mph

9. Alexander Rossi – 224.350 mph

10. Kyle Kirkwood – 224.312 mph