By Christian Koelle, Staff Writer
NASHVILLE – After an impressive showing on the Indianapolis Road Course last weekend, earning his first podium finish, Christian Lundgaard led the way in opening practice in advance on Sunday’s Big Machine Music City Grand Prix in Nashville.
Lundgaard turned a 1:15.9659-minute lap around the streets of Nashville putting his No. 30 Shield Cleansers Honda on the top of the speed carts. Turning 29 laps, tied for second most of any other drivers in the session, Lundgaard turned his fastest lap on his 25th time around the circuit.
“I’m super happy being up here now,” Lundgaard said. “We were there last weekend. To start this weekend here is obviously great, but we have qualifying and the race coming up. We need to be as efficient as we’ve been the last couple of races, making sure everything is right, just executing the package now we know we have the package.
“Toronto was a good weekend. We came here in a similar car. It works, so I’m super-hyped to see if we can continue this path.”
Results from Fast Friday in Nashville
Felix Rosenqvist finished the session in second .2391-seconds behind Lundgaard.
David Malukas, Scott McLaughlin, and Josef Newgarden rounded out the top five in the session.
GALLERY: Fast Friday in Nashville for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix
The NTT Data IndyCar Series returns to the track on Saturday with an hour-long practice session at 12:15 p.m. ET and will follow with qualifying for Sunday’s Big Machine Music City Grand Prix on the Streets of Nashville at 4:30 p.m. ET as 26 drivers chase to lead the field to green.