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Friday was opening day for the 2022 NTT IndyCar Series season as the first practice laps were turned ahead of Sunday's Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Andretti Autosport teammates Romain Grosjean and last year's Firestone Grand Prix winner, Colton Herta led the charts.
Grosjean, who moved to Andretti Autosport over the off-season in perhaps the biggest off-track news leaving 2021 completed a lap around the 1.8 mile, 14 turn street course at 1 minute, 1.0525 seconds.
Another headline in the opening practice session was the early struggle of seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson who had a severe front-tire lock up in turn ten. Johnson quickly got the car rolling again with flames shooting out of the left front tire.
Rookies also impressed in FP1. 2021 Indy Lights Champion Kyle Kirkwood came just shy of cracking the top ten. While 2021 Indy Lights runner-up David Malukas rounded out the top ten.
The second free practice session will be shown live on Peacock Saturday at 9.00 A.M. est followed by pole qualifying at 12:30 P.M. est.
Stay right here on Racing Refresh for more IndyCar news throughout 2022.