In a heart-stopping showdown at Barber Motorsports Park, Alex Palou has once again proven his indomitable spirit by seizing pole position for the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix. The qualifying session was a rollercoaster of emotions, culminating in Palou’s breathtaking final lap that left fans on the edge of their seats.
Palou, driving for Chip Ganassi Racing, clinched the top spot with a lightning-fast time of 1:07.2918 during the Firestone Fast Six shootout. His stellar performance edged out Scott McLaughlin by a hair’s breadth, marking his first pole position of the season and the seventh in his impressive IndyCar career. This achievement holds special significance for Palou, as it harks back to his inaugural series victory at Barber in 2021.
Reflecting on his exhilarating lap, Palou expressed, “It was super close. I was just hoping to get a perfect lap on the alternates. So, yeah, cannot wait for tomorrow now.” With two wins and one second-place finish already under his belt this season, Palou heads into Sunday’s race with a commanding 34-point lead in the standings over his closest rival, Kyle Kirkwood.
While Palou’s triumph stole the spotlight, other drivers also showcased their prowess on the track. Scott McLaughlin of Team Penske narrowly missed out on pole position and will start in second place, followed by Colton Herta in third and Will Power in fourth, securing his best qualifying result of the season. Rising star Nolan Siegel, driving for Arrow McLaren, delivered a standout performance, achieving his career-best qualifying position in just his second full season in IndyCar.
However, the qualifying session was not without its share of disappointments. Defending champion Scott Dixon faced challenges and will start in 26th place, his worst qualifying position since 2021. Similarly, Kyle Kirkwood, coming off a victory in Long Beach, faltered and will begin the race in 18th place.
As the tension mounts and rivalries intensify, all eyes are now on the 90-lap race set to unfold on Sunday. Fans can catch the adrenaline-pumping action live on FOX and via the INDYCAR Radio Network. The stage is set for a thrilling showdown as these top drivers battle it out for glory on the iconic Barber Motorsports Park circuit.