Graham Rahal Leads Chaotic FP3 at Mid-Ohio

By Aaron Bearden, Open Wheel Editor

The final Verizon IndyCar Series practice before qualifying at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course was led by a familiar face to the region – Ohio’s own Graham Rahal.

Rahal laid down a circuit of 1:05.207 to pace the tour’s third practice session of the weekend for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. The hometown favorite has one career win at Mid-Ohio, coming back in 2015.

Defending IndyCar champion Josef Newgarden followed in second, with Team Penske teammate Will Power following in third. Alexander Rossi and Scott Dixon rounded out the top five, with Simon Pagenaud, Sebastien Bourdais, Robert Wickens, Takuma Sato and Zach Veach completing the top 10.

Despite the short length of the session, Saturday’s lone IndyCar practice was filled with mistakes and issues from the field. Both AJ Foyt Racing machines looped around during practice, with Tony Kanaan suffering an innocent early spin and rookie Matheus Leist bouncing off the wall in Turn 9 to force a lengthy red flag.

Red flag for @MatheusLeist #IndyCar #Honda200 pic.twitter.com/RKtGvSsubi

— Matt Archuleta (@indy44) July 28, 2018

The returning Pietro Fittipaldi also spun around, getting stuck in a gravel trap and requiring a red flag for his No. 19 Dale Coyne Racing machine to be returned to the pit lane.

Red flag for @PiFitti #IndyCar #Honda200 pic.twitter.com/xfcmNqLzWD

— Matt Archuleta (@indy44) July 28, 2018

Practice was restarted shortly after the shunts of Fittipaldi and Leist, but the final 10 minutes saw yet another stoppage as two drivers encountered issues simultaneously. Simon Pagenaud last control of his No. 22 Team Penske Chevrolet in Turn 11 and stuffed his car into the turn’s tire barrier.

Behind Pagenaud, Ed Carpenter Racing’s Spencer Pigot spun off-course after hitting the inside curb in Turn 1. Unlike Pagenaud, Pigot saw no contact and continued on without issue.

Mayhem on the same lap. #IndyCar #Honda200 pic.twitter.com/w5nvWO1Uu7

— Matt Archuleta (@indy44) July 28, 2018

The IndyCar field will return for qualifying at 1:35 p.m. ET.

IndyCar FP3 Results