INDYCAR Practice 2 Highlights: The Thermal Club Grand Prix
The second NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice session at The Thermal Club in California set the stage for an intense qualifying round, showcasing the circuit's challenging layout and the drivers' growing familiarity with the track.
Key Practice Session Results
| Position | Driver | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Alex Palou | Chip Ganassi Racing |
| 2nd | Josef Newgarden | Team Penske |
| 3rd | Scott Dixon | Chip Ganassi Racing |
Championship Contenders
Current title holders making their mark in practice:
- Three-time and reigning champion Alex Palou
- Two-time series champion Will Power
- Six-time series champion Scott Dixon
- Two-time champion Josef Newgarden (current Indianapolis 500 winner)
Series Overview
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES stands as North America's leading open-wheel racing championship, featuring:
- International field of versatile drivers
- Multiple racing formats:
- Superspeedways
- Short ovals
- Street circuits
- Permanent road courses
The 2025 season marks a significant milestone as FOX Sports becomes the exclusive U.S. television broadcaster for INDYCAR, including live coverage of all NTT INDYCAR SERIES races.
Thermal Club Significance
The Thermal Club INDYCAR Grand Prix represents a new challenge for drivers and teams alike. The practice sessions are particularly crucial as teams work to:
- Optimize car setup
- Learn track characteristics
- Fine-tune racing strategies
- Gather valuable data for qualifying
The upcoming 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 will be among the premier events featured on FOX's comprehensive coverage schedule.
Track Performance Factors
Several key elements influenced practice performance:
- Track temperature
- Tire management
- Aerodynamic setup
- Fuel load strategies
The practice session demonstrated the technical demands of The Thermal Club circuit, with teams focusing on finding the optimal balance between speed and consistency. The diverse field of international talent showcased the series' competitive nature, setting up an exciting qualifying session to follow.
This practice session served as a critical preparation phase, allowing teams to refine their approaches before the more decisive qualifying and race segments. The mix of experienced champions and emerging talent promises an engaging competition as the event progresses.
