Pato O’Ward showed the speed this afternoon at World Wide Technology Raceway he will need to end his podium and victory drought Sunday.

O’Ward (photo, top) jumped to the top of the speed charts late in the opening practice for the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline with a best lap of 172.696 mph in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet.

SEE: Practice Results

The Mexican has been a paragon of consistency this season, with six finishes of fourth or fifth among his eight starts. But he seeks to end a podium drought stretching back to his victory last July in Toronto, a span of 12 races without a top-three finish or win. O’Ward has finished second at this 1.25-mile oval four times, including last year.

Up next is NTT P1 Award Qualifying at 4:30 p.m. today on FS2 followed by high-line and final practice from 8-10 p.m. ET on FS1. The 260-lap race starts at 9 p.m. ET Sunday on FOX. FOX One and INDYCAR Radio Powered by OnlyBulls also are providing every session live.

Points leader and four-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Alex Palou ended up second after seeing his best lap of 172.238 in the No. 10 HRC Chip Ganassi Racing Honda eclipsed by O’Ward in the closing stages of the practice. Palou’s best finish at this track is fourth in 2024.

“Very good so far,” Palou said. “I know it’s all there. Very happy with the car so far. So far, we’re happier than I’ve ever been at this track.”

Felix Rosenqvist, back on an oval for the first time since his dramatic Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge victory last month, was third at 172.073 in the No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian Honda. His teammate, Marcus Armstrong, led late in the session before his best lap of 171.925 in the team’s No. 66 Honda dropped to fourth.

2022 Indy 500 winner Marcus Ericsson rounded out the top five at 171.671 in the No. 28 Delaware Life Honda of Andretti Global.

Reigning WWTR winner Kyle Kirkwood was ninth at 171.250 in the No. 27 Sam’s Club Honda of Andretti Global. Kirkwood is second in the standings entering this event, 62 points behind Palou.

There was one incident involving contact in the 60-minute session. Rinus VeeKay wiggled in his No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet in Turn 3 and backed into the SAFER Barrier between Turns 3 and 4 with about 20 minutes remaining, damaging the rear of the car. VeeKay, who was fourth on the speed charts before the incident, was unhurt.

“We were finding some speed,” VeeKay said. “I just got loose right around the apex of Turn 3-4 and tried to save it, but the car came around. At least it looks like a straight hit on the rear, so it should not be a lot of work to get that fixed. JHR has given me a really good car this weekend.”