Photo: Chris Owens, Indycar

Today’s schedule: Times Eastern

“Going into qualifying I think it’s
important to find a good package because this place is,
from my experience, I’ve only done one race here, if I
remember it was a lot of fuel save, not a lot of passing.
Just in the pit stop sequences. I feel like you need to focus
on that. Qualifying up front will probably pay off a lot more
than if you qualify in the back, unless it’s Portland .”

Pato O’Ward stated the importance of qualifying near the front today for the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. The track for the final race of the NTT Indycar Series season is difficult to pass on, and pit strategy is crucial. Oddly, the race has only been won 10 times from the pole by just five different drivers.

Qualifying order could have an effect on who wins the championship Sunday. Points leader Alex Palou needs to finish 11thg or better Sunday to win the title. O’Ward needs to earn the maximum points available (54) to have a chance to take the Astor Cup. If O’Ward does not win the pole, Palou will just need a 12th place or better finish. Don’t look for Palou to aim for a result that low.

Notes

Olivier Boisson, will be going with Romain Grosjean to Andretti Autosport in 2022. Boisson has been Grosjean’s crew chief this season, and the pairing has clicked.

Palou said he has spent about 15 hours on the simulator preparing for Long Beach. This is his first time driving the track. Palou had not driven any of the three final tracks, Portland, Laguna Seca, or Long Beach. he has done okay at the first two.

I’ll be back after the noon practice to set up qualifying, and then have a qualifyinq wrap up tonight.