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Support-Race Crash Forces Laguna Seca Practice Delay; McLaughlin Tops Shortened Session

Fence damage at the Corkscrew required repairs that compressed IndyCar’s morning running and left qualifying timing uncertain for the season finale.

Overview

  • IndyCar put Practice 2 on hold Saturday after a support-race crash damaged perimeter fencing at the Corkscrew, the series said on its official X account.
  • Track crews spent more than an hour repairing barriers and fencing, and organizers cut the IndyCar session short to keep the afternoon schedule intact.
  • Scott McLaughlin posted the quickest time in the abbreviated Practice 2 with a 1:10.3014 lap, beating the field in roughly 30 minutes of running.
  • Alex Palou had led the opening practice on Friday with a 1:09.8994 lap and arrives at Laguna Seca as the already‑clinched 2026 champion, while several drivers recorded spins and minor incidents during Friday’s session.
  • Qualifying remained planned for the afternoon but its exact start was uncertain, which could affect final grid positions and weekend outcomes tied to contracts and penalties.