PHOENIX – The NTT INDYCAR SERIES completed a two-day open test at Phoenix Raceway on Wednesday, February 18, as teams prepared for the series’ return to the 1.022-mile oval on March 7 for the Good Ranchers 250. The test, dubbed the Unser INDYCAR Open Test, honored the Unser family’s legacy at the track, and was free and open to the public.
Wednesday’s sessions ran from 11 a.m. To 2 p.m. ET and 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. ET, following five hours of track time on Tuesday. Twenty-five drivers participated in the test, which served as a crucial opportunity to refine setups and gain experience before the season opener.
David Malukas of Team Penske posted the fastest lap time of the test at 172.605 mph, followed closely by teammate Josef Newgarden at 172.021 mph. Scott Dixon, Will Power, Graham Rahal, and Alexander Rossi were among the six drivers with prior Phoenix experience, with Dixon and Rossi having participated in a test at the track in November, and Newgarden and Power in January.
Pato O’Ward, despite finishing 16th in the speed charts, emphasized the importance of understanding the car’s behavior rather than focusing solely on lap times. “This is a new race for me,” O’Ward said. “You have to be comfortable. You have to be happy with what you have, and this test is a huge opportunity to understand the car in every aspect.”
Reigning series champion Alex Palou, who previously lacked oval victories, continued to adapt to oval racing. He finished fifth fastest on Tuesday with a lap of 171.357 mph. Palou noted the limited testing opportunities on ovals, contrasting Phoenix with Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where teams have multiple days of testing. “Normally at ovals, it’s about how you feel with the car,” Palou said. “We don’t usually get much testing time on ovals.”
During a ceremony at Phoenix Raceway on Tuesday, Palou received the Championship Driver’s Trophy, known as the “Baby Borg,” recognizing his 2024 Indianapolis 500 victory. The 20-inch trophy features a sculpted likeness of Palou and commemorates his championship win.
Team Penske announced a new sponsorship agreement with Clarience Technologies, which will be the primary sponsor for Scott McLaughlin at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix on May 31 and the opening race of the Milwaukee Mile doubleheader on August 29. Clarience will also be an associate sponsor on McLaughlin’s and David Malukas’ cars throughout the season.
FOX Sports has finalized its broadcast team for the 2026 INDYCAR SERIES season, with Will Buxton returning as play-by-play announcer, alongside analysts James Hinchcliffe and Townsend Bell. Jamie Little will join the team for the Phoenix and Indianapolis 500 races. The season begins with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 1.
Teams will continue preparations for the March 7 race at Phoenix, which will be run as part of a doubleheader weekend with NASCAR. Billboards across the Phoenix area are promoting the event, featuring images of both NASCAR and INDYCAR drivers.
