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By the People, for the People
Chevrolet Dominates at Phoenix Raceway Test
Chevy-powered drivers lead opening day of NTT IndyCar Series open test
Published on Feb. 20, 2026
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The first day of The Unser INDYCAR Open Test at Phoenix Raceway saw Chevrolet-powered drivers set the pace, with David Malukas of Team Penske topping the timesheets and Caio Collet of A.J. Foyt Racing leading the rookie drivers. Chevrolet has a strong history at the 1-mile oval, with 10 wins and 8 poles since returning to the series in 2012.
Why it matters
Chevrolet's dominance at Phoenix Raceway underscores the manufacturer's prowess on short ovals, where it has won 31 of 40 races (77.5%) since 2012. This test session provides an early glimpse into the competitive landscape for the upcoming NTT IndyCar Series season and highlights Chevrolet's continued strength as a key engine supplier in the series.
The details
In the opening test session, David Malukas set the fastest lap at 172.605 mph, followed closely by his Team Penske teammate Josef Newgarden. Chevrolet-powered rookie Caio Collet of A.J. Foyt Racing was the quickest of the three first-year drivers on track. Chevrolet's first IndyCar win at Phoenix came in 1969 with George Follmer, and the manufacturer has won the last three races at the track (2016-2018).
- The Unser INDYCAR Open Test at Phoenix Raceway Session #1 took place on February 17, 2026.
- INDYCAR set aside the first hour of practice for the three rookies in the field.
The players
David Malukas
A driver making his first official NTT INDYCAR SERIES appearance on track with Team Penske.
Josef Newgarden
The 2018 winner at Phoenix Raceway, driving for Team Penske.
Caio Collet
A Chevrolet-powered rookie driver for A.J. Foyt Racing.
Chevrolet
An American automobile manufacturer and a key engine supplier in the NTT IndyCar Series, with a strong history of success at Phoenix Raceway.
George Follmer
The driver who gave Chevrolet its first IndyCar win outside of the Pikes Peak Auto Hill Climb, winning at Phoenix Raceway in 1969.
What they’re saying
“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”
— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)
What’s next
The teams are back on track for more testing on February 18, with sessions from 9 am through noon and from 1:30 pm through 4:30 pm local time.
The takeaway
Chevrolet's strong performance at the Phoenix Raceway test underscores the manufacturer's continued dominance on short ovals in the NTT IndyCar Series, setting the stage for an exciting 2026 season as the series returns to the historic one-mile oval.
