Kirkwood paces Texas test, Grosjean tops the no-tow times

Kirkwood, reigning Indy Lights champion, turned a 219.78mph lap in his AJ Foyt Racing-Chevrolet  on his 116^th of 146 laps. But this did come with the benefit of a tow.

The same was true of Callum Ilott, former Formula 2 championship runner-up, who finished the day second for the Juncos Hollinger Racing team, with whom he made his fourth IndyCar start last weekend at St. Petersburg.

Kyle Kirkwood, A. J. Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet

Photo by: IndyCar Series

Although Romain Grosjean was only third overall, he was barely slower without the aid of a tow, and therefore topped the no-tow list for Andretti Autosport-Honda. Grosjean raced at Gateway last year, and passed his Rookie Orientation Program at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in October, but his pace was nonetheless impressive.

Although there are always caveats in testing regarding tire life, fuel load, etc., it will have encouraged Honda Performance Development that in the no-tow list, the four Honda-powered cars wound up ahead of the two Chevys.

David Malukas, Indy Lights runner-up in 2021, turned an impressive 210 laps in the Dale Coyne Racing-Honda to take fourth overall and second without the aid of a tow.

Another Lights graduate, Devlin DeFrancesco, like teammate Grosjean, was hardly any slower without a tow than he was when aided by the car in front, so was fifth overall but third without a tow.

Finally, Alpine Academy driver and Rahal Letterman Lanigan fulltimer Christian Lundgaard propped up the table overall but that top speed overall was set without a tow.

There were no accidents despite the drivers’ rookie status on ovals.