Palou, Rossi manage fast laps in rain-affected practice for IndyCar’s hybrid engine at Mid-Ohio

By The Associated Press

LEXINGTON, Ohio (AP) — IndyCar Series drivers hoping to get an initial read on the new hybrid engines that promise a seismic shift in race strategy ended up with more stop than go in Friday’s first practice at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Early rain sprinkles that briefly stopped the one-hour, 15-minute session eventually gave way to a steady drizzle with just under 25 minutes remaining. A handful of drivers switched to rain tires and splashed their way through quick laps, but nearly all are looking for more clarity and grip in Saturday morning’s second practice under a favorable forecast. Alex Palou and Alexander Rossi topped the speed charts.