Chevrolet seem to have found their groove, down South. After sweeping the practice podium in FP1 courtesy of reigning IndyCar Series champion Simon Pagenaud and Team Penske team-mates Josef Newgarden and Will Power; Chevy also swept FP3.
Led by Power in the top spot, Newgarden in P2, the FP3 podium was rounded out by Helio Castroneves in the #3 Team Penske Chevrolet. Honda managed to pip P1 in FP2, with Marco Andretti of Andretti Autosport topping the Chevys of Power and Pagenaud.
The rebound in form is a great relief to Chevrolet who have been out paced in the first two rounds of the 2017 IndyCar Series season by Honda-powered teams. The practice prowess of Chevy at Barber Motorsports Park, comes on the heel of recent sandbagging accusations by Graham Rahal of RLL Racing. Whether it is because Chevy finally decided to show their true pace or because the 2.38 mile circuit play to Chevy’s aero advantage is still up in the air.
Qualifying, later today, should provide a definitive answer on pace. The Birmingham, Alabama circuit has been very kind to Chevrolet-powered cars in Qualifying. With Chevy grabbing every Pole position since the circuit’s addition to the IndyCar Series calendar in 2010. Honda will look to finally break the streak, however it seems like a tall order with a majority of Honda cars populating the midfield.
Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama Notes:
– Fernando Alonso who recently announced his participation in the Indianapolis 500, with a McLaren entry with Andretti Autosport and Honda support; is expected to watch the race on Sunday live.
– Rookie Zach Veach, filling in for the injured JR Hildebrand at Ed Carpenter Racing will be in Group 1 for Qualifying.
– Conor Daly in the #4 A.J. Foyt Chevrolet, had an electrical issue in FP3, as a result he completed only 7 laps finishing P21.
