Alexander Rossi topped a hugely disjointed second Practice session at Belle Isle ahead of Simon Pagenaud and Josef Newgarden for Andretti Autosport.

 

Helio Castroneves and David Malukas rounded out the top five as just three tenths of a second separated the first five drivers.

 

At the green light a flurry of cars joined the track during the crucial second Practice session in Detroit.

 

Kyle Kirkwood crashed in the opening stages after making contact with David Malukas causing a red flag to disrupt the session.

 

After a lengthy delay the session restarted with 41 minutes left on the clock at a very sunny Belle Isle.

 

The reigning champion Alex Palou soon set the quickest time for Chip Ganassi Racing with a 1:21.4661.

 

The Spaniards effort was soon beaten by Rossi prior to Palou going fastest again in a terrific punch and counter punch sequence.

 

The times continued to tumble with Pagenaud topping the timesheets with a 1:17.4176 ahead of Marcus Ericsson and Scott Dixon.

 

With half an hour to go Frenchman Romain Grosjean broke the 1:17 barrier and went to P1 setting a 1:16.3981.

 

Newgarden went third quickest for Team Penske setting a respectable 1:17.0873 as the red flags came out due to Jimmie Johnson stalling his number 48 Chip Ganassi Racing car.

 

The green flags came out as Johnson got underway again with 25 minutes to go and Grosjean op top of the timesheets.

 

Arrow McLaren SP’s Pato O’Ward went fourth in the session at a circuit he won at last year in a positive start to the weekend for the 23-year-old.

 

Dalton Kellett crashed on the red Alternate tyres breaking the suspension and causing the third stoppage of the session with 20 minutes remaining.

 

The majority of the field bolted on the sticker red tyres including Grosjean and Pagenaud as the drivers began to run Qualifying simulations.

 

Will Power spun and stalled in his Team Penske causing another red flag as the session became increasingly disjointed.

 

The Australian received a five minute penalty for causing the red flag costing him valuable track time in Detroit.

 

The drivers put the extra grip of the Alternate tyres to good use as Castroneves went quickest before his time was beaten by Rossi.

 

Pagenaud stopped on-track with a couple of minutes to go bringing out the red flags, the session was restarted with a one minute left.

 

The top ten was hugely competitive with just half a second between them. O’Ward, Scott Dixon and Colton Herta all finished outside the top ten prior to the all important Qualifying session.