Taylor shows out for Andretti Global in both INDY NXT practice sessions at St. Petersburg
- Jeffrey Hrunka
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
Jeffrey Hrunka - INDYCAR Contributor
The INDY NXT SERIES wrapped both its practice sessions ahead of the series’ qualifying session on Saturday afternoon. Max Taylor led an Andretti Global 1-2-3 in the first practice session on Friday, Feb.27, and carried that momentum into the second session, topping the session as it timed out.
After the last season’s INDY NXT champion Dennis Hauger swept every session at St. Petersburg last season in the Andretti Global No.28, Taylor continued the momentum in practice one, timing a faster lap than the Norwegian did last year for the fastest lap of the weekend in the INDY NXT Series.
Andretti Global took the top two spots in last season's INDY NXT by Firestone GP of St. Petersburg. The team’s speed this session only seems to support this pace.
INDY NXT Practice 1 Results (Top 10):
The weather that ended the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series practice and qualifying on Friday afternoon left its mark on the second session of practice for INDY NXT, as teams had to balance mixing continuous laps through the 40-minute practice session on Saturday morning.
One of the most notable incidents of both sessions came from rookie Nichloas Montiero, driver of the A.J. Foyt Racing No.4, who lost control down the front straightaway halfway through the session, breaking a portion of his suspension to send him to the garage.
Taylor carried the momentum into the second practice session, topping the session as the time ran out with a 1:06.431s. Teammate Lochie Hughes, driver of the Andretti Global No. 26, also jumped the leaderboard on his final lap with a lap time good enough for second. He was the only Andretti Global driver to miss the top-10.
Hometown favorite rookie Nikita Johnson returns to the Streets of St. Petersburg for his second race at the circuit. He took his Cape Motorsports No.21 to a top ten appearance in both practice sessions.
He was one of six drivers to place inside the top-10 in both sessions. Taylor led both groups, with Murray, Johnson, Enzo Fittipaldi, JM Correa and Tymek Kucharczyk joining him.
INDY NXT Practice 2 Results (Top 10):
The INDY NXT Series returns to the track on Saturday afternoon, following the OnlyBulls Green Flag 150 at St. Petersburg for qualifying on FS1.
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