While the aerokits are new, an old favorite topped the charts in Alabama.
Scott Dixon put down the fastest lap on day one of IndyCar’s testing at Barber Motorsports Park. Dixon, 34, put down a lap time of 67.48 seconds, less than .7 seconds off of the 66.77 track record time he set in 2013.
Dixon was followed by the four Team Penske teammates. Simon Pagenaud, who was fastest in the first session of Monday’s test, was second quickest on the session. 2014 champion Will Power was third quickest, followed by Indy 500 champions Juan Pablo Montoya and Helio Castroneves.
The fastest Honda on the day was the manufacturer’s only former champion, Ryan Hunter-Reay. Despite not posting a lap in the opening session, the 2012 champion put down the sixth-quickest lap. Josef Newgarden, James Hinchcliffe, Tony Kanaan and Graham Rahal rounded out the top 10.
In all, 22 drivers participated in the second test session at the 2.38-mile, 17-turn. Sage Karam, who injured his hand earlier in the day, did not participate in the second session.
Chevrolet owned the first day at Barber, putting up the top-five speeds in the second session after seven topped the charts in the first. The only Chevrolet driver found outside of the top 15 on the day was Ed Carpenter Racing’s Luca Filippi.
Honda had its share of struggles, placing only three drivers inside of the top 10 on each session. Andretti Autosport, who typically shows good speed, only placed Hunter-Reay inside of the top 10. Carlos Munoz and Marco Andretti ended the day 11th and 16th on the speed charts, respectively.
Dayle Coyne Racing’s newly-announced lineup of Carlos Huertas and Francesco Dracone ended the session in 19th and 22nd, struggling for speed.
The stars of IndyCar will return for two test sessions at Barber Motorsports Park again from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. ET and 2-6 p.m. ET on Tuesday (March 17).
Aaron Bearden is a Frontstretch alumnus who’s come back home as the site’s Short Track Editor. When he isn’t working with our grassroots writers, he can be found talking about racing on his Morning Warmup newsletter, pestering his wife/dog or convincing himself the Indiana Pacers can win an NBA title.