Photo from Penske Entertainment

Christian Lundgaard won his second pole of the season, turning his fast lap as time expired in the Fast Six. The pole is a culmination of the improvements Rahal Letterman lLanigan Racing has made the last two races. It was an entertaining qualifying, with weatherr scrambling the Fast Six.

Rain neutralized the Andretti team advantage as the team did not put a car in the Fast Six. Round 1 group1 went according to plan for the team, with Kyle Kirkwood and Romain Grosjean advancing. Colton Herta did not make it out of his group as the rain during group 2 caused him to spin, losing his best 2 laps to that point. He could never get another good lap in. Herta had won poles at the last two races.

Round 1 did not go to plan for points leader Alex Palou, who will start 15th. It is Palou’s worst starting spot of the season. His three race winning strak is in jeopardy tomorrow.

The Fast Six was run in drying conditions. Pato O’Ward startedd on the altrnates and sett several fast laps. The others- Will Power, Scott McLaughlin, Marcus Ericsson, Felix Rosenqvist, and Lundgaard, turned a lap on the rain tire then came in for alternates. O’Ward did not pit for new tires, he didn’t have enough at the end.

Thge final seconds ticked off as every driver too the lead as they crossed the line. Lundgaard secured the pole as the last car to finish.

Notes

Will Power made the Fast Six for the first time in 2023. The all time career leader still seeks his forst pole of the year.

Impressive job by Tom Blomqvist to qualify 20th in just his third session in an Indycar. He did it in rainy conditions as well.

Agustin CCanapino matched his best start at 18th, also in the rain.

There is a slight chance of rain during the race tomorrow.

The grid for tomorrow’s race has a lot of fast cars mid pack and toward the rear. Starting tire choices will be interesting The jumbled lineup should make for a fun race.

I will have the staring liineup tomorrow m\orning and a race preview.