Christian Bogle set the early pace for the INDY NXT by Firestone event at World Wide Technology Raceway.

Bogle’s best lap in today's afternoon practice in the No. 7 HMD entry registered 160.902 mph to lead the 18-car field. Qualifying for Saturday’s OUTFRONT Showdown is today at 6:45 p.m. ET, with live coverage on INDYCAR LIVE and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

“I think we have a shot at going for pole,” the Louisiana driver said. “We’ll just have to put it all together and see.”

The OUTFRONT Showdown is Saturday at 4 p.m. ET (Peacock, INDYCAR LIVE, INDYCAR Radio Network). The race is 75 laps.

James Roe had the second-quickest lap in the 45-minute practice at 160.752 mph in the No. 29 Topcon entry of Andretti Global. Series rookie Myles Rowe was third at 160.236 mph in the No. 99 of HMD Motorsports with Force Indy.

Series points leader Louis Foster of Andretti Global (No. 26 Copart/Novara Technologies) finished second to Christian Rasmussen in last year’s INDY NXT by Firestone race at this track. Their separation was 1.7805 seconds. Jacob Abel of Abel Motorsports (No. 51 Abel Construction) finished fourth in that race. Foster and Abel were seventh and ninth in this weekend’s first practice.