The NTT IndyCar Series held a knockout qualifying session on Saturday, turning laps around the enjoyable Road America.
Unlike the year before when heat swept over the track, central Wisconsin was bathed in perfect weather conditions that helped both fans and drivers enjoy themselves.
After all three rounds were complete, a familiar name was on top of the charts. Alex Palou had once again secured the top starting position.
READ MORE: IndyCar Road America – Full Qualifying Results
Palou has been making an impression on the grid of late during qualifying, and Saturday’s triumph marks the fifth consecutive pole for the speedy Spaniard.
The reigning champion’s fast lap was 1:43.6615, nearly a second quicker than last year’s pole time.
David Malukas was second quick in the #12 Team Penske Chevy, and will line up alongside of Palou when the green flag waves.
Marcus Armstrong, who had been at the top of the timesheets for practice, was third quick in qualifying and will have a good chance to score his first IndyCar win on Sunday.
His Meyer Shank Racing team-mate Felix Rosenqvist was just a hair slower and earned the fourth starting position, helping to give his team momentum heading into the race.
Marcus Ericsson was fifth quick, followed by Scott McLaughlin who ensured there were two Team Penske drivers in the first three rows with his performance.
Outside looking in
Santino Ferrucci was the first driver to miss the cut for the final round, but an engine penalty drops him down to 13th on the grid.
Nolan Siegel and Caio Collet benefitted from the penalty, and improved their starting spots to seventh and eighth respective. Both results constitute good efforts for the young drivers.
Pato O’Ward also moved forward one position, and will start in ninth, just ahead of veterans Will Power and Scott Dixon.
Christian Lundgaard was knocked out at the last second of the first round. He had been set to advance in his #7 Arrow McLaren Chevy, but Rosenqvist bumped him down as the checkered flags flew on the first session.
He was joined by another surprising relegation with Josef Newgarden failing to set a quick enough time to advance.
Newgarden was the only Penske driver to struggle, and will line up from 15th on the grid.
A couple teams that struggled mightily were Juncos Hollinger Racing and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.
JHR driver Sting Ray Robb was the only driver to lap slower than 1 minute 45 seconds, and earned a position near the back of the grid.
He will not actually start in 25th, however, as an engine penalty for Alexander Rossi drops him in the final starting position.
Robb’s team-mate Rinus VeeKay was only marginally faster on track, and will line up in 21st after the penalty moves him forward one place as well.
The best performer of the RLL trio was Graham Rahal, who could only manage a 20th starting position. Mick Schumacher and Louis Foster were down in 22nd and 23rd respectively.
Discussion about this post