Scott McLaughlin insists more speed is left in him after an impressive first practice session in Nashville this morning.
McLaughlin is one of four IndyCar rookies on the grid this weekend for the Music City Grand Prix.
However, when no one had ever turned a lap on the new circuit until today, the rookie status is thrown out the door.
Here, everyone is a rookie.
The Kiwi has had a minor slip in performance over the past few rounds, having gone five races without a top ten result.
Yet, he was quickly on the pace around the bumpy Nashville street circuit.
He posted the ninth quickest time and was the second-fastest Penske driver. Teammate Will Power was one place ahead of him in eighth.
“The No. 3 Chevy was amazing,” McLaughlin said. “I felt really strong.
“It’s nice to go to a track that other people haven’t been to before and you can really hustle it and find your way slowly.”
There is only one more practice session for drivers tomorrow morning (NZT) before qualifying and Monday’s race.
Still, McLaughlin is riding a wave of confidence and suggests he will only get quicker as the weekend progresses.
“I felt like I had a really solid run, a really solid start to the session.
“We slowly chipped at it and found ourselves in the whereabouts of the No.10 (Alex Palou).
“There’s still plenty left in me and the car.”
It was also a successful first day for the other Kiwi in the field, as Scott Dixon finished the first practice session with the second-fastest time.
Free Practice 2 begins at 6 am NZT, with qualifying at 9.30 am.
