Will Power has made the perfect start to this weekend's IndyCar Grand Prix of Baltimore event by topping the timesheets in practice.

Power, who goes into the penultimate race of the season with a 36-point championship lead and could seal the IndyCar title if results fall his way this weekend, clocked a fastest lap of one minute and 21.4572 seconds.

Simon Pagenaud finished second fastest in the session with a 1:21.4883 while New Zealand's Scott Dixon was third with a 1:21.7211.

The session though was shortened after course issues forced series officials to install a chicane on the main straight at the 3.28km circuit.

The temporary tyre barrier chicane was installed to alleviate the effects of a bump in the straight on the road-style circuit.

Power, who won the inaugural IndyCar race in Baltimore last year, was taking a philosophical approach about the late alterations to the track.

"It is what it is. It's the same for everyone, and it's another street course that we have to learn to be quick at," the Australian said.

"That's the way we fixed it, and I don't know if it's going to improve racing, but obviously can't run a good race on it, so it'll be what it'll be.

"I think it will still be a good race."

Power's main championship rival, American Ryan Hunter-Reay, was seventh fastest in practice while fellow Australian Ryan Briscoe could only post the day's 14th quickest lap.

The action continues on tomorrow with qualifying, with the 75-lap race beginning on Monday morning (NZT).

- AAP