Kanaan – who says he will retire after next Sunday’s race – lapped the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval in 38.6223s, a speed of 233.026mph, in his Chevrolet-powered car.
Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou topped the four-lap average speeds – which is how qualifying is decided – at 232.713mph, after taking a new Honda engine overnight along with team-mate Scott Dixon.
The field was split in two for a pair of 30-minute sessions, with five cars running in the opener. They were topped by Kanaan at 233.026mph, ahead of team-mate Alexander Rossi on 232.904mph, whose four-lap run of 232.418mph was also just a tick slower than Kanaan’s 232.440mph.
“It’s a cold morning, the track was green, so it was good for us to run,” said Kanaan. “I wasn’t really happy yesterday and Rossi helped me out, and the goal today is to put it in the top 12.”
Palou, who ran in the second session, set the third quickest time overall at 232.823mph, after both he and Dixon encountered issues with their engines during final runs in Friday’s practice.
Dixon set 232.470mph, with a 231.742mph average, and even began a third four-lap run that he ran out of time to complete – turning 19 laps in total to place fifth.
Source: Autosport