IndyCar headed out for qualifying at Laguna Seca just before noon local time, with a tricky prospect facing teams and drivers alike.
The morning’s practice was cancelled due to fog grounding the medical helicopter, meaning all the time normally spent tuning cars for qualifying was wiped off the board.
A slick track surface compounded issues, and gave all 27 drivers plenty to think about as they lapped the 2.24-mile course.
READ MORE: IndyCar Laguna Seca – Full Qualifying Results
After looking strong all session, Alex Palou set the fastest time in the final round and secured his fifth pole of the season.
Palou lapped the historic track in 1:08.3413, over a quarter of a second faster than every other driver.
Pato O’Ward also showed pace from the outset of the weekend, but came up just a bit short. He placed his #5 Arrow McLaren Chevy on the outside of the front row.
Colton Herta set the third best time, giving Andretti Global representation high on the grid at a track where the Andretti name carries so much history.
A pair of Team Penske drivers filled the next positions, with Josef Newgarden and Will Power qualifying fourth and fifth respectively.
David Malukas rounded out the Fast Six as he chases his third consecutive top 10 finish in his AJ Foyt entry.
Knocked out
Felix Rosenqvist looked set to advance easily into the final round, but a pair of mistakes at Turn 5 undid his ambitions.
His trips through the gravel caused local yellows to be displayed, which interrupted others on their fast laps.
Due to this, Rosenqvist was given a penalty and his fast time was deleted. He will start from 12th.
Scott McLaughlin very nearly joined his Penske team-mates at the front portion of the field, but he was knocked out in the last second by Christian Rasmussen.
McLaughlin will start from 13th as he attempts to help turn his team’s fortunes around.
Unfortunately for the Andretti Global crew, they had two drivers eliminated in the first round.
Marcus Ericsson was only able to earn the 15th starting position, and Kyle Kirkwood’s gamble on a late fast lap were undone by traffic. He will start in 18th.
Devlin DeFrancesco spun at one point in the first round, and had a tough time getting going again.
He eventually did get on his way, doing so just quickly enough to not cause a red flag. He will start from the 27th and final position, however.
Drivers will have a short warm-up session Saturday afternoon, followed by Sunday’s race which take place a noon pacific time.
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