After a relatively quiet start on the opening day, Team Penske surged to the forefront during the final day of testing at Sebring International Raceway, with Will Power and Josef Newgarden claiming the top spots on the overall speed charts. This two-day test, held at the historic Sebring circuit in Central Florida, was a final chance for the 27 full-time drivers to fine-tune their setups before the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 2.
Power, the 2014 NTT IndyCar Series champion and a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, topped the charts with a blistering lap of 52.2549s in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet. Newgarden, also an Indianapolis 500 winner, followed closely behind with a lap time of 52.3191s in the No. 2 PPG Team Penske Chevrolet. Both laps were set in the cooler morning session, when the majority of the fastest times were recorded, showcasing the team’s remarkable pace and consistency.
“It’s funny, after a couple days back in the car, you feel right at home, back to the same old stuff, and going through the same old changes and just confirming stuff,” said Power. “I know it so well now, but it always changes. It’s never the same. So, you’ve got to be on your toes, super-tight field.”
The Sebring test, which utilized the 1.67-mile “short course,” saw an incredibly close field, with less than eight-tenths of a second separating the entire 27-car lineup across the two days. This reflected the ultra-competitive nature of the IndyCar Series, with every team pushing to find those precious tenths of a second ahead of the season opener.
Day 1 to Day 2: A Dramatic Turnaround for Team Penske
While Monday’s test session saw Power finishing in seventh place with a lap time of 52.8032s—nearly 0.4 seconds behind the leader, Pato O’Ward of Arrow McLaren—Tuesday’s session brought a dramatic shift in fortunes for the team. Power’s pace improved significantly, propelling him to the top of the charts alongside teammate Newgarden, who had been relatively consistent across both days.
O’Ward, the Monday leader, finished the day in third place with a lap time of 52.7060s. The Mexican driver’s impressive showing was backed by a strong performance from Marcus Armstrong, who led the afternoon session on Monday. Armstrong’s best time of 52.3675s still held up as the fourth-fastest overall. The Meyer Shank Racing driver, who was filling in for an ill Felix Rosenqvist, was later replaced by Rosenqvist, who finished ninth on Tuesday with a lap of 52.5273s.
Colton Herta, representing Andretti Global, rounded out the top five with a solid lap of 52.3818s. His performance indicated the continued improvement of the Andretti team, as they aim for more podium finishes in the upcoming season. Meanwhile, Arrow McLaren’s Nolan Siegel secured sixth place with a time of 52.4405s, further establishing the team’s competitive edge heading into 2025.
Rising Stars and Veteran Performances
While the established names like Power and Newgarden grabbed the headlines, several rising stars made an impact at the Sebring test. Alex Palou, a two-time defending series champion, finished seventh overall with a lap of 52.4948s in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. Palou’s performance was a strong signal that he remains a serious title contender for the new season.
The presence of PREMA Racing, a team traditionally dominant in junior open-wheel racing, also garnered attention. Callum Ilott, the team’s series veteran, impressed by finishing eighth overall with a lap of 52.4998s in the No. 90 Chevrolet, signaling a promising debut for the team in IndyCar.
Setbacks and Challenges
Not all the drivers had smooth sessions, however. Six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon faced challenges during the test. Despite only turning two laps on Monday due to a mechanical issue, Dixon returned to action on Tuesday. His day took a turn for the worse when he crashed into the barriers in Turn 6. Fortunately, Dixon emerged unscathed and was able to continue testing after his car sustained only minor rear damage. His best lap placed him 13th overall at 52.6120s, a performance he’ll look to improve upon before the season opener.
The Road Ahead
As the drivers and teams head into the final stages of their preparations for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Team Penske’s dominant performance at Sebring puts them on notice as the team to beat for 2025. With Power and Newgarden proving their competitiveness, the pressure is on the rest of the field to find the pace to challenge the Penske duo in what promises to be another thrilling season of NTT IndyCar Series racing.
