MONTEREY, Calif. (Friday, June 21, 2024) – Louis Foster’s roll continued Friday at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, as he was the quickest overall in both practice sessions for the INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey doubleheader.
Foster led at 1 minute, 12.4174 in the No. 26 Copart/Novara Technologies car fielded by Andretti Global. Foster and the other 19 drivers in the INDYCAR development series field each posted their best laps during the second of two 25-minute sessions on the 11-turn, 2.238-mile circuit that includes the famous “Corkscrew” turn complex.
“ Today was a good day for us across both practice sessions,” Foster said. “The No. 26 crew gave me a great car that kept us strong the whole time. This was especially helpful with the winds and slick track conditions. We start qualifying tomorrow in Group 2, and the aim is going to be to put it on pole for both races.”
British driver Foster has two victories and a runner-up finish in the last three races this season, pulling him to within 19 points of championship leader Jacob Abel before the final doubleheader event of the season.
Rookie Caio Collet was second at 1:12.5711 in the No. 18 HMD Motorsports entry, followed by teammate Reece Gold at 1:12.9806 in the No. 10 HMD car.
“It feels pretty good,” Collet said. “I didn’t put a lap together in the end, which I think is what we’re missing. But the car felt good the whole session, with new tires, especially. Hopefully we’ll have a great weekend.”
Championship leader Abel was fourth at 1:12.9993 in the No. 51 Abel Construction car fielded by Abel Motorsports, with James Roe rounding out the top five at 1:13.2113 in the No. 29 Topcon machine fielded by Andretti Global.
Jamie Chadwick ended up 10th at 1:13.6239 in the No. 28 VEXT car of Andretti Global in her first on-track session since becoming the first female winner in nearly 14 years in the series June 9 at Road America.
A hectic Saturday looms. The grid for both races will be set in a single qualifying session starting at noon ET (INDYCAR Live, INDYCAR Radio Network). Live coverage of the first of two 35-lap races this weekend starts at 3:25 p.m. ET Saturday on Peacock and the INDYCAR Radio Network. The second race is set for 3:55 p.m. ET Sunday.
