Palou showcased his precision as he maneuvered the scorching surface of the track. On Saturday afternoon at Laguna Seca, the NTT IndyCar series took center stage with 27 eager competitors looking to determine the order for Sunday’s race.
Under the blazing sun, air temperatures exceeded expectations, resulting in a track temperature that surpassed 55°C. The intense heat proved to be a challenge for nearly all drivers, especially with the softer red tires, leading to multiple drivers going off track or having early exits.
However, it was Alex Palou who dominated the conditions, securing his second pole position of the season with a lap time of 1:07.1465. Although Palou faced difficulties during qualifying, he found the perfect balance when it mattered most in the final round.
Kyle Kirkwood secured a spot on the outside of the front row, acknowledging the difficulty of overtaking on the 2.24-mile track. Felix Rosenqvist continued his impressive season, claiming the third starting position, while Colton Herta, a fan favorite at his home track, will start alongside him.
Alexander Rossi, the lone Chevrolet representative in the Top 6, qualified in fifth place. Christina Lundgaard closely followed, earning a spot on the outside of the third row.
Scott McLaughlin nearly missed out on the Top 6, as Rossi’s last-minute lap pushed him back to the fourth row. Romain Grosjean will start from the eighth position, expressing his frustration with the slow laps conducted by drivers before their fast laps.
Despite the traffic during qualifying, Grosjean acknowledged that it wasn’t worse than at other tracks and will need to adapt accordingly. David Malukas made a strong comeback after an injury, advancing to the second round in his Meyer Shank Racing Honda. Starting in 12th, Malukas aims to prove his fitness with a solid performance.
Agustin Canapino couldn’t match the pace of his Juncos Hollinger Racing teammate, becoming the first driver to miss out on the second round. He will start in 13th.
Both Josef Newgarden and Will Power struggled to find speed, not advancing beyond the first round. Alongside a group of drivers who struggled with the softer red tires, they will start in the seventh and eighth rows.
Nolan Siegel took advantage of others’ misfortunes to secure the 23rd starting position. The 19-year-old rookie recently transitioned from an IndyNXT race to a seat at Arrow McLaren for the remainder of the season. Although Siegel participated in some IndyCar races earlier this year, his true IndyCar journey begins on Sunday.
The green flags for the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey will be waved at 3:30 PM Pacific time on Sunday, with forecasts indicating only slightly milder conditions.
