Andretti tops test session 2 at Phoenix

Marco Andretti

Nighttime was the right time for Honda on the first day of the Verizon IndyCar Series open test at Phoenix Raceway. Andretti Autosport driver Marco Andretti topped the night practice session for the IndyCars at Phoenix Raceway Friday night. Andretti led a Honda 1-2-3-4-5-6 after Newgarden led a Chevy 1-2-3-4 in session 1.

Drivers stocked with Honda engines and aero kits recorded the six fastest laps of the three-hour evening practice, after Chevrolet drivers nailed down the first four spots in the afternoon session. Tonight it was Marco Andretti, driving the No. 27 hhgregg Honda for Andretti Autosport, who led the 21-car contingent with a lap of 189.122 mph (19.4541 seconds).

He was followed by another legacy name driver, Graham Rahal, whose best lap was 188.642 mph (19.5036 seconds). Rahal, in the No. 15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda, also logged the fastest lap of any driver tonight without benefit of a tow from a car in front, at 188.098.

“It’s always encouraging (to see your name at the top)," Andretti said. “It’s still early but it’s a good start. What I like about it is, you obviously want to be P1, but today we really focused on the car, the car, the car. We just focused on doing our jobs and maximizing whatever we can. And we ended up all right. I have a hunch that the opposition is turned down, but you might as well be there if you can be."

Note: Andretti teammates Ryan Hunter-Reay and Alexander Rossi switched cars for awhile, hence why you see each driver listed in both the #28 and #98. Neither driver was happy with their car.

Session 2 Results