Iowa Speedway was the setting for IndyCar’s busy qualifying session on Saturday afternoon.
Each driver was given a chance to lap the 7/8-mile course, with the first lap speeds setting the grid for first race of the double-header and the second lap setting the order for the second.
The driver that was quickest on the first fast lap was Josef Newgarden. He completed his circuit in 17.4914 seconds, and averaged 183.999 MPH.
READ MORE: IndyCar Iowa– Full Qualifying Results
Newgarden’s performance was well-received, as the veteran has been struggling to put together any sort of results all season.
Conor Daly impressed with a quick lap of his own, earning the outside front row in his Juncos Hollinger Racing entry for the first of the two races. Felix Rosenqvist was third quickest, and Alex Palou was fourth.
On the second lap, Palou put his name on the top of the time sheets with a lap at 184.014 MPH.
The reigning series champion appeared to prioritize the second lap with his hybrid usage, which allowed him to leapfrog the others for Sunday’s starting grid.
Rosenqvist was quick again and qualified second, with David Malukas earning the third grid position and Newgarden slotting into fourth.
Andretti Global was well below where they had hoped to be, with the team’s three drivers starting 14th or below in both races.
Not all rosy
A couple drivers continued to lap way off the pace, continuing their troubles from practice earlier in the day.
Jacob Abel and Rinus VeeKay were well below the speeds of the rest of the field, and will make up the 13th row on the grid for both races.
Sting Ray Robb also qualified down near the back, despite his JHR team-mate placing his car on the first row for the first race.
The biggest disappointment of the session was Scott McLaughlin, who crashed hard on his first qualifying lap.
McLaughlin’s #3 Team Penske entry wiggled in the middle of Turn 1, and his car spun into the outside barriers.
He climbed from his car unhurt, but there was a considerable amount of damage done to the rear of his car. The crew was already preparing spare parts before the damaged car was even brought back to the garage area.
There is just over two hours until the start of the first race of the double-header weekend, and the crew will be frantically attempting to get the car ready in time to take the grid.
The green flag is scheduled for 4:00 PM CT, with 275 laps on tap for the Saturday afternoon race.
