Ganassi IndyCar team runs 1-2-3 in first preseason test of 2021

The Chip Ganassi team and 6-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon came out of the gate guns ablaze Monday on the Sebring short course in central Florida.

According to unofficial times obtained by AR1.com, Dixon turned the fastest lap of the day at 52.3 sec in his #9 Ganassi Honda. That was enough to top two of his other three teammates –  #8 Marcus Ericsson at 52.4s and new to the team #10 Alex Palou, at 52.5s.

Marcus Ericsson
Alex Palou checks out his #10 NTT Data Ganassi Honda

Sebastien Bourdais was 4th quick in the #14 AJ Foyt Chevy at 52.6s.

Max Chilton put his #59 Carlin Chevy 5th on the time charts at 52.9s and ahead of the #4 AJ Foyt Chevy of Dalton Kellett who put up a lap of 53.3s

Despite turning the most laps of the day, slowest was 7-time NASCAR Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson at 53.7s. Johnson is still trying to come to terms with hustling a rear-engine IndyCar after spending his whole career driving a heavy front-engine NASCAR Cup car. The two are completely different animals. Mark C. reporting for AutoRacing1.com

Jimmie Johnson in his new cockpit

Sebring Monday Pre-Season Test Times

Pos No Name Time Behind Engine Team
1 9 Scott Dixon 52.3s 0.0s Honda Chip Ganassi Racing
2 8 Marcus Ericsson 52.4s 0.1s Honda Chip Ganassi Racing
3 10 Alex Palou 52.5s 0.2s Honda Chip Ganassi Racing
4 14 Sebastien Bourdais 52.6s 0.3s Chevy AJ Foyt Enterprises
5 59 Max Chilton 52.9s 0.6s Chevy Carlin
6 4 Dalton Kellett 53.0s 0.7s Chevy AJ Foyt Enterprises
7 48 Jimmie Johnson 53.7s 1.4s Honda Chip Ganassi Racing