When IndyCar took to the track on Saturday afternoon for a knockout qualifying session, the ambient temperatures had climbed above 90F (32C).
The heat did not stop drivers from putting on an exhilarating qualifying session, and the result was a brand new pole sitter.
When the dust had settled, it was Louis Foster that had set the fastest time of the afternoon in his #45 RLL Honda.
READ MORE: IndyCar Road America – Full Qualifying Results
The rookie completed his fast lap in 1:44.5141, and incredibly did so on a used set of the softer Firestone tires.
Most drivers were struggling with overheating of their tires and had trouble making them hold on for a couple push laps, but that seemingly did not affect the reigning IndyNXT champion.
Second fastest was Alex Palou, who set a lap 0.1159 seconds slower than the young driver up the road.
The only other winner of the 2025 season Kyle Kirkwood earned the third starting position, just ahead of Scott McLaughlin.
The third row will be populated by Christian Lundgaard and Graham Rahal, with RLL the only team with two representatives in the Fast Six.
Callum Ilott qualified in ninth, his best effort of the season as he continues to help build PREMA’s IndyCar program.
It was the first time PREMA has advanced out of the first round, aside from the Indianapolis 500 when rookie Robert Shwartzman earned pole with a special ruleset.
Lost opportunities
Not everyone walked away happy with qualifying, as one might imagine.
David Malukas just missed out on advancing to the final round, losing out at a shot at pole by just 0.04 seconds.
Pato O’Ward looked like he had enough pace to advance to the Fast Six as well, but could not put together a run in the second round. He will start 11th.
Both Ed Carpenter Racing Chevys were simply off the pace all afternoon.
Christian Rasmussen qualified in the 20th position after earning his first podium last weekend, while Alexander Rossi could only find enough speed to earn the 24th grid slot.
Scott Dixon originally completed a lap quick enough to advance out of the first round, but he did so while impeding Devlin DeFrancesco.
The veteran was penalized his two fastest laps, meaning he will start down in 25th. DeFrancesco advanced up one position due to the penalty, but it was not enough to contest the second round.
Colton Herta also failed to advance out of the first round, the first time the Andretti Global driver has been eliminated so early.
Sunday’s weather does not look much better, and drivers will be battling brutal temperatures for 55 laps of the lengthy course.
The only reprieve is that there are a few long straights, which give drivers a couple seconds to rest each lap.
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