Chevy Team Takes Charge: Strong Start at Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach

Written by Adrian Beecher

Chevrolet has kicked off the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach with a fearsome display of speed, making a strong statement on the streets that run through this elegant California city. In a display of team strategy and individual driving skills, six Chevrolet drivers finished in the top 10 in the first practice session, repeating their early season success.

Great Start for Team Chevy

Leading the pack, Arrow McLaren Chevrolet’s Pato O’Ward showed why he is considered a strong contender this season. Following a fast lap of 1:06.6875 seconds, O’Ward took first place, setting the competitive pace for the weekend. Not far behind, the Team Penske trio—Will Power, Scott McLaughlin, and Josef Newgarden—showed their prowess by earning three of the top five spots, with Power finishing a close second.

Christian Rasmussen, making his Long Beach debut, also made headlines with a top-10 finish. His successful run in the practice session was a testament to his quick adaptation to the circuit and his effective use of Chevrolet’s simulator work.

Team Strength and Competitive Spirit

Josef Newgarden shared his thoughts on the day’s performance, saying, “It was a great first session. I felt like we had a good pace right away, which is good for Friday. But the song will change a lot tomorrow. It will build a lot of grip, but feel in the qualifying mix, which will be important for the race. Advancement here is always important. I had a lot of confidence in the Hitachi crew, and Team Chevy has given us something great to work with. All in all, I think we’re really pumped for the weekend.”

Scott McLaughlin also reflected on the strength brought forward from their offseason preparation: “A very good day for the No. 3 Odyssey Battery Chevy team. We came out of the truck really strong and that makes the rest of the day a lot easier. We’re in a good place.” A lot for the weekend. We showed great speed in St. Pete to start the year. It’s good to see that work pay off, to qualify well tomorrow when necessary.”

Will Power discussed his satisfaction with the session and his focus on the challenges ahead: “It was a good Friday in Long Beach. Very happy with No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet. We can certainly improve in certain areas, using discretion. I think we are right in the window. Now we have to take the base we had in practice and use it in qualifying because that has been an issue. We have really focused on that.”

Looking Ahead

As Team Chevy prepares for the upcoming qualifying sessions and the race itself, the focus remains on refining their strategies and improving performance. With a promising start in the first practice, the team is well prepared to use their momentum.

Long Beach continues to be a race that rewards precision, strategy and adaptability. Chevrolet’s strong opening act has set the bar high for the weekend, promising exciting competition as drivers battle for top spots on this storied road circuit. With Team Chevy drivers showing strength across the board, the stage is set for an exciting continuation of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

Next Steps for Team Chevy

The team is expected to return to the field for the second training period followed by important qualifying rounds. The results of these upcoming sessions will be crucial in setting the stage for Sunday’s race, where track position could be as important as raw speed.

In a sport where every second and every decision counts, Chevrolet’s performance at Long Beach serves as a clear indicator of their commitment to excellence and competition at the highest levels of athletics. As the engines cool down from today’s practice, anticipation builds for what promises to be an exciting day of racing on the Streets of Long Beach.

Photo Credit: Chevy Racing Communications