Simon Pagenaud topped the charts on the final day of testing at Sebring International Raceway.
The 37-year-old Frenchman put down a flying lap of 115.364 mph (52.1135 seconds) in the No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing Honda in a preseason test that included 14 NTT IndyCar Series teams.
Defending and four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves ended the day in the runner-up spot at just 0.08 of a second behind his MSR teammate. The duo were closely trailed by the No. 8 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda of Marcus Ericsson, who was 0.0968 of a second off the top time.
P1 baby!! @MeyerShankRac | @h3lio pic.twitter.com/8s0F8HK0Nl
— Simon Pagenaud (@simonpagenaud) February 15, 2022
Rinus VeeKay was the highest Chevrolet in fourth after a lap at 115.019 mph (52.9295 seconds) in the No. 21 Ed Carpenter Racing entry, while rookie Kyle Kirkwood put AJ Foyt Racing fifth.
Reigning IndyCar champion Alex Palou ended sixth, followed by Conor Daly, Scott Dixon, Callum Ilott and David Malukas.
Although the session was significant for everyone, it was possibly the most vital for Takuma Sato, with Tuesday marking his first laps in the No. 51 Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing Honda. The two-time Indy 500 winner pushed to a best pace at 113.857 mph.
Unofficial Afternoon Session Times
| Pos | No. | Driver | Team | Make | Laptime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 60 | Simon Pagenaud | Meyer Shank Racing | Honda | 52.113s |
| 2 | 06 | Helio Castroneves | Meyer Shank Racing | Honda | 52.194s |
| 3 | 8 | Marcus Ericsson | Chip Ganassi Racing | Honda | 52.210s |
| 4 | 21 | Rinus VeeKay | Ed Carpenter Racing | Chevy | 52.269s |
| 5 | 14 | Kyle Kirkwood | A.J. Foyt Racing | Chevy | 52.338s |
| 6 | 10 | Alex Palou | Chip Ganassi Racing | Honda | 52.377s |
| 7 | 20 | Conor Daly | Ed Carpenter Racing | Chevy | 52.414s |
| 8 | 9 | Scott Dixon | Chip Ganassi Racing | Honda | 52.422s |
| 9 | 77 | Callum Ilott | Juncos Hollinger Racing | Chevy | 52.529s |
| 10 | 18 | David Malukas | Dale Coyne Racing with HMD Motorsports | Honda | 52.723s |
| 11 | 51 | Takuma Sato | Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing | Honda | 52.802s |
| 12 | 48 | Jimmie Johnson | Chip Ganassi Racing | Honda | 52.947s |
| 13 | 4 | Dalton Kellett | A.J. Foyt Racing | Chevy | 53.025s |
| 14 | 11 | Tatiana Calderon | A.J. Foyt Racing | Chevy | 53.047s |
