Team Penske's Josef Newgarden narrowly topped the second practice session ahead of the Indianapolis 500 ahead of 2008 winner Scott Dixon as Fernando Alonso and Felix Rosenqvist both crashed heavily.
Newgarden's fastest speed was narrowly down on team-mate Will Power's fastest from the opening day of practice, but the 2017 series champion's 228.856mph was enough to beat Chip Ganassi's Scott Dixon who posted the second-best speed of the day with a 228.835mph.
Ed Carpenter Racing's Spencer Pigot continued his good form in the month of May as he ended the day third fastest in the #21 entry with a 228.658mph.
Santino Ferrucci went fourth fastest clocking a best speed of 228.561mph for Dale Coyne Racing in the #19 Cly-Del car, the young driver continues to impress as he acclimatises to ovals for the first time.
Three-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves rounded out the top five with a 228.441mph average lap speed, once again making it two Penske's pushing towards the front of the speed charts.
It was a tightly packed session as Chevrolet edged Honda with six drivers inside the top 10, but both the Detroit-based manufacturer and their Japanese rivals were almost inseparable.
Alexander Rossi and Tony Kanaan both managed 224.6mph for their respective engine suppliers.
Carlin's Patricio O'Ward also was able to clear his Rookie Orientation Programme after suffering mechanical troubles, allowing the Red Bull-backed driver to be let loose on the 2.5mile oval without restrictions.
Away from the speed charts were the crashes involving Alonso and Rosenqvist.
Not long after the first hour of running Alonso suffered understeer in the #60 entry while following RLL's Graham Rahal into Turn 3, causing the car to slam into the outside barrier, then spin into the inside of Turn 4, causing heavy damage to the car.
Towards the end of the session, Rosenqvist lost control of his #10 NTT Data-Honda through Turn 2 when the car violently snapped on the Swede sending him into the outside wall before slamming back into the tyre barrier on the inside.
Penske's Power almost collided with Rosenqvist as he came back across the path of the Australian, but narrowly avoided him and suffering any damage.
Both drivers walked away from their shunts and visited the infield medical centre, checked over and subsequently cleared.
Rosenqvist ended the session 16th fastest while Alonso slumped to 29th.
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