IndyCar News: Colton Herta's Fastest Lap Shatters Last Year's Pole Time At Iowa

Colton Herta set a new benchmark for speed and competition at Iowa Speedway, surpassing last year's pole time and showcasing the exciting potential for record-breaking performances in the upcoming races.

Jun 23, 2024; Salinas, California, USA;Andretti Autosport driver Colton Herta (26) of United States during warm up for the Grand Prix Of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Colton Herta's groundbreaking performance at Iowa Speedway during a recent NTT IndyCar Series test has set a new benchmark for speed and competition. Herta, driving the No. 26 Honda for Andretti Global, clocked an astounding unofficial lap time of 16.954 seconds. This achievement not only highlighted his driving talent but also dramatically surpassed the previous year’s pole time of 17.725 seconds, set by Will Power.

The test at Iowa Speedway, which spans 0.875 miles per lap, was particularly notable due to the recent repaving of its corners. This modification, coupled with overcast weather conditions and an afternoon interruption due to rain, set the stage for Herta's remarkable performance. The test day saw other strong competitors as well, with Scott McLaughlin recording the second-fastest time of 16.971 seconds, closely followed by Marcus Ericsson and others who all posted competitive times.

However, the day was not without challenges. A number of drivers, including Josef Newgarten, McLaughlin, Pietro Fittipaldi, Romain Grosjean, and Will Power experienced crashes or contact with the wall, underscoring the demanding nature of the newly revamped track.

Adding to the intrigue of this year's series is the introduction of hybrid technology in the vehicles. These cars, weighing about 100 pounds more than last year’s non-hybrid models, tested the skill of every driver on the circuit.

Driver feedback was overwhelmingly positive despite the day's trials. Josef Newgarten praised the recent changes to the track, saying:

"I think it’ll be very different this year; the racetrack is basically brand new and with the repave in the corners, it’s going to drive totally different than what it did. I love this track. I always have and I like the area. Newton (Iowa) comes alive during race weekend more so now, because of the involvement with Hy-Vee. Hy-Vee has been such a great partner for us and they’ve made this a destination event.”

Graham Rahal also reflected on the day's conditions and their impact on the competition:

“I think (the partial repave) has leveled the playing field. It’s a big day; it’s a good day to have a test. Obviously for us as a team, Hy-Vee is our biggest partner and we really want to do well for Hy-Vee here. The commitment Hy-Vee made to our sport is unlike anything else. And so, we want to win for them.”

This eye-opening test session at Iowa Speedway sets the stage for the upcoming Hy-Vee doubleheader weekend, promising thrilling races and potentially more record-breaking performances given the track’s recent upgrades and drivers' enthusiastic embrace of the challenge.

As teams and drivers prepare for the upcoming events, the excitement and anticipation continue to build in what is shaping up to be a transformative season in the IndyCar series.