The opening Practice 1 session for the 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach delivered a familiar blend of speed, chaos, and early-weekend storylines—headlined by Will Power topping the timesheets with a 1:07.6053, while the rest of the field immediately began to sort itself into contenders, question marks, and early casualties.
Behind Power, Scott McLaughlin slotted into second, followed by Kyle Kirkwood, Álex Palou, and Marcus Armstrong—a top five that quietly hinted at both established dominance and emerging threats. But as is often the case in Long Beach, the headline times only told part of the story.
McLaughlin’s Speed vs. Stability Problem
If there was one narrative that carried over seamlessly into Long Beach, it was the growing tension between McLaughlin’s raw pace and his inability to string together clean sessions. Once again, he was near the top of the charts—once again, there was an incident attached.
The pattern is becoming difficult to ignore. Across sessions, weekends, and now seasons, the same critique continues to surface: elite speed undermined by unforced errors. What once felt like occasional overreach is increasingly being viewed as a systemic issue. The sentiment has shifted from frustration to expectation—incidents are no longer surprising, they’re anticipated.
Some observers even framed it as a kind of “curse transfer,” suggesting that the inconsistency once associated with other drivers has now found a new home. Whether exaggerated or not, the underlying point remains: for McLaughlin to convert pace into results, the execution gap must close quickly.
Penske Split: Power Delivers, Newgarden Lags
While Power delivered a clean, benchmark-setting lap, the other side of the Team Penske garage told a different story. Josef Newgarden ended the session down in 15th, a result that raised eyebrows given his typical strength at Long Beach.
There’s no immediate panic—Practice 1 rarely defines a weekend—but the contrast within the team was stark. Power looked dialed in from the outset, while Newgarden appeared out of sync on a circuit where he’s historically been competitive. If that gap persists into qualifying trim, it could become one of the weekend’s more consequential storylines.
Armstrong’s Rise—and the Succession Conversation
Further up the order, Armstrong’s fifth-place run reinforced a growing belief in the paddock: he’s not just solid—he’s potentially the next major Kiwi force in IndyCar.
The comparisons are inevitable. With Scott Dixon still delivering at a high level but nearing the latter stages of his career, Armstrong is increasingly being discussed as a natural successor. Not just in nationality, but in consistency, composure, and racecraft.
Debate continues around his trajectory—particularly in comparison to peers like Lundqvist—but the overarching takeaway from Practice 1 was clear: Armstrong belongs in the front-running conversation, and his upward momentum is becoming harder to dismiss.
Mick Schumacher’s Brutal Start
For Mick Schumacher, Practice 1 was less about pace and more about lost opportunity.
An engine issue forced a change early in the session, costing him critical track time on a circuit he’s never driven. The timing couldn’t be worse. Schumacher has already acknowledged that his lack of familiarity with the track is a weakness—and Practice 1 was supposed to be the first step in addressing it.
Instead, he’s now playing catch-up before the weekend has even properly begun.
The setback also feeds into a broader narrative surrounding his season: a driver in need of momentum, repeatedly denied the chance to build it. When even practice mileage becomes a hurdle, the margin for recovery shrinks dramatically.
Crowds, Atmosphere, and the Long Beach Effect
Off track, Long Beach once again proved why it remains one of the crown jewels of the IndyCar calendar.
Even on a Friday, the circuit was packed. What was once known for “Free Friday” accessibility has evolved into something even bigger—demand now outpacing availability, with sold-out parking and noticeably denser crowds than in previous years.
For many, Practice 1 wasn’t just a session—it was an event. The kind that converts casual viewers into committed fans. The atmosphere blurred the line between race day and build-up, reinforcing Long Beach’s reputation as a full-weekend spectacle rather than a single headline race.
A Session That Sets the Tone
Practice 1 rarely defines outcomes—but it does establish direction. At Long Beach, that direction feels clear:
- Power looks sharp and immediately competitive
- McLaughlin remains fast—but fragile in execution
- Armstrong continues to rise into serious contention
- Newgarden has early work to do
- Schumacher faces an uphill battle before qualifying even begins
And perhaps most importantly, Long Beach itself is already delivering—on track, in the stands, and across the narratives that will shape the rest of the weekend.
If Practice 1 is any indication, this isn’t going to be a quiet one.