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Tag: NTT Indycar Series
INDYCAR To Expand, Update Single-Car Qualifying in Firestone Fast Six for Remaining Street Circuit Events
From IndyCar. The change is one that I suggested after Arlington.
| INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, April 13, 2026) – INDYCAR has announced an expansion of Firestone Fast Six single-car qualifying, including an updated format, for the remaining four street circuit events of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season beginning with the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday-Sunday, April 17-19 on the Streets of Long Beach. Single-car, single-lap qualifying runs in the Firestone Fast Six made their debut Saturday, March 14 at the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington. The format followed the traditional INDYCAR “knockout” format of Segments 1 and 2, which narrowed the field to six remaining qualifiers. Moving forward, the adjustments to single-car Firestone Fast Six format will include: Choice of qualifying order based on Segment 2 results. The fastest qualifier from Segment 2 will be the first to choose which position they would like to make their Fast Six qualifying run with subsequent choices made for the remaining positions based on the order of Segment 2 results. Lining up at pit out following tire declaration.Once the qualifying order is determined, teams will make their tire selection – primary or alternate tires – prior to lining up in single-file and in order of their qualifying run, at pit out to await their qualifying attempt. During Firestone Fast Six single-car qualifying, drivers will leave pit lane and get an opportunity for one lap – starting and ending at the alternate start/finish line. Once the car enters pit lane following that driver’s attempt, the next car will be released for its attempt. As in the streets of Arlington event, tire allotments and tire rules will remain unchanged. Single-car Firestone Fast Six qualifying also will be scheduled for the three remaining street circuit events after Long Beach, at Detroit, Markham, Ontario, and Washington, D.C. The move to single-car Fast Six qualifying is designed to create a greater opportunity to spotlight and translate the challenge and expertise required by INDYCAR SERIES teams and drivers competing for the top positions on the starting grid. “The debut of single-car Firestone Fast Six qualifying in Arlington was extremely popular and well received,” INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles said. “Following the event, we reached out to stakeholders to help evaluate the format and look into ways to improve an already exciting session. This slight update will provide the fastest from the Top 12 an earned advantage of choosing when they would like their run in the Fast Six, while tire selection before lining up at pit out will save time and more closely equalize the session. “With continued input from teams, drivers and our partners at FOX Sports, we believe these updates will further highlight the close competition and perfection it takes to start at the front of the grid.” As in Arlington, if the Firestone Fast Six single-car qualifying segment is impacted by weather or conditions that cause significant track surface change from one attempt to another, INDYCAR will have the following options: Revert to standard Firestone Fast Six qualifying procedures, which features all competitors vying for the NTT P1 Award in the standard timed window. Use the results from Segment 2 to set the starting lineup for the race. Following the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, INDYCAR will again evaluate the updated qualifying format to determine its use and implementation in 2027. Coverage of NTT INDYCAR SERIES qualifying from Long Beach is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET Saturday, April 18 on FS1, FOX One, the FOX Sports app and INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls. Coverage of Sunday’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, round five of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship, begins at 5:30 p.m. ET on FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX One, the FOX Sports app and INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls. |
Quick Thoughts- Children’s of Alabama Grand Prix
Another race. another Alex Palou smackdown. Similar to his easy victory at St. Pete, Palou beat Christian Lundgaard to the line by 13 seconds. Despite the wide margin at the finish, the story was nearly different.
“Incredible day,” Palou said. “I told you qualifying was one of the best car balances I’ve ever driven. Today in the race, it was pretty good in the beginning, really good at the end, but we suffered a little bit on the used blacks (Firestone Firehawk primary tires) that we had to use.
“Another win here. Love this place, love the fans. What a great day.”
Christian Lundgaard took the lead when Palou made his final stop. He pushed to create a large enough gap to stay ahead when he had to pit and was nearly there. A slow right wheel tire exchange cost him nine extra seconds in the pits. It was enough to allow Palou to coast to the victory. Lundgaard recovered to take second, passing Graham Rahal with three laps to go.
Lundgaard said after the race that he believed he had the pace to get by Palou.
It was a great day for Rahal, who earned his first podium since August 2023 at the Indianapolis Road course. RLL has been making progress with the 15 car this season, and the podium signals more good things to come for this team.
Overall, today’s race was the first real clunker of the season. There was very little passing. The race ran caution free for the second straight year.
Kirkwood Keeps Points Lead
Kyle Kirkwood maintained his points lead, but just barely. He is ahead of Palou by only2 points with his fifth place at Barber. Kirkwood is the most consistent driver of 20206 with four finishes inion the top five, including a win and a second place.
Kirkw3ood has won Long Beach, the next race, twice, including last year from pole. We could have a real points battle this season.
Watch Out For
Christian Lundgaard is beginning to make some noise. He now sits in third in the standings, 35 points behind Kirkwood. Lundgaard has finishes of 2nd, 3rd, 13th, and 7th. He may end up as McLaren’s number one driver this year.
David Malukas continues to be the bright light for Team Penske. His fourth place today put5s him in fourth place, just five points behind Lundgaard. Josef Newgarden started ninth and finished 10th. Scott McLaughlin started 14th after his practice crash Saturday, but struggled to a 16th place result.
Streaks broken– The run of a different winner every race came to an end with Palou’s second win of 2026. Sting Ray Robb finished 22nd after coming home 21st in each of the first three races. So close.
The FOX Conundrum
The booth talent and pit reporters are outstanding. The features production is professional and interesting. Their tribute to George Barber was outstanding.
However, their coverage of the sport, the showcase of the broadcasts is still woefully behind the positive aspects, especially on race day.
A pass for second place was missed early in the race. At one it seemed if there was a commercial break just two laps after a break.
I don’t like the top of screen features during action, especially while pit stops take place. If you want to talk about a musician, do it in the pre-race.
In Friday’s IndyNXT practice, sector times were shown on screen for the first time, never to be seen again. Sector times will very much enhance qualifying.
End of rant.
After four races in five weeks, IndyCar returns to action in three weeks, April 19, at long Beach.
Barber Tire Selections
On FOX, 1 pm Eastern
Palou Takes Pole on Crazy Day at Barber
Scott McLaughlin’s morning accident set the tone for a wild day at Barber Motorsports Park. Prior to IndyCar qualifying, The IndyNXT race saw the two leaders crash while battling for first place, and Nikita Johnson winning his second race of the year.
In the first round of qualifying Will Power lost his brakes entering turn 5 and went nose first into the barrier. Power was not injured, but he will again start at the rear of field. Power has had a difficult beginning in phase two of his career. Since he joined Andretti, Power has had some form of contact every weekend.
In a fierce, competitive qualifying session, Alex Palou won the pole position. he edged David Malukas by 11 hundredths of a second. Points leader Kyle Kirkwood will start fifth.
“Honestly, one of the best cars I’ve driven,” Palou said. “This morning (in practice) I already felt the car was really, really good, really well balanced. We just wanted to start up front, capitalize on a really good car we had today and see for tomorrow. Really happy to get our first pole this year.”
Graham Rahal will start third, Marcus Armstrong rolls off fourth, and Romain Grosjean will start from sixth.
Grosjean had a great lap going in Round 1 until he was impeded by Sting Ray Robb. Grosjean still advanced, while Robb lost his two best laps to that point.
McLaughlin’s crew got his backup car ready. he finished seventh in his group and will start 14th tomorrow.
Notes
IndyCar’s competitiveness was on full display with six teams reaching the Fast Six, and a seventh team starting seventh.
Palou is the fourth different driver to take pole in four races in 2026.
It was a great day for the AMR Safety team and all who helped implement the safety innovations on these race cars. Two drivers escaped serious injuries this afternoon thanks to car’s design.
Of the seven different teams will grid in the first three and a half rows, McLaren is conspicuously missing.
Results
Scotty’s Wild Odyssey; Barber Qualifying Groups and P2 Results
After a scary crash in turn 1 by Scott McLaughlin, IndyCar qualifying is still scheduled to begin at 2:30 pm Eastern time on FS1. Mclaughlin spun in turn and went rear first through the turn 2 barrier. Yes, though. Not contact. Not hit. Through.
I have seen many spins in that area over the years, but never has a car gone through the the barrier there. The closest call I had seen was a Mazda MX=5 car which smacked the barrier hard enough to destroy the car, but it never penetrated the fence and tires.
Qualifying Groups
Practice 2 results
Practice Groups
Today’s schedule: Eastern times
11 am Practice 2
2:30 pm Qualifying
McLaughlin leads Barber Practice 1
Photo from Penske Entertainment
Scott McLaughlin led the first practice for the Grand prix of Alabama this afternoon, narrowly edging points leader Kyle Kirkwood by 0.0288 seconds.
“Pretty good start for us on the Odyssey Battery Chevy,” McLaughlin said. “We were all strong, which is a good sign for the team. We’ve done a lot of hard work in the offseason to figure out where we can be better. We’ve still got a lot to learn and be better and stronger.
“Overall, a pretty good start for us. Bring on tomorrow.”
The top five included two Team Penske cars, two entries from Arrow McLaren, and one from Andretti. Alex Palou was the fastest Ganassi car in seventh.
Alexander Rossi caused a red flag when a fueling issue caused him to pull off to the side of the track and stop.
Practice 2 is at 11 am Eastern, and qualifying begins at 2:30 pm Eastern. Both sessions are on FS1.
Results
Barber Preview: Streaks on the Line
IndyCar hopes to continue its great start at the Children’s Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park this weekend. Three series streaks look to continue beginning Friday. So far in the busy early season, the three races have produced three different pole sitters and three different race winners. The first three races have also drawn more than a million television viewers. All three streaks could fall, or perhaps none of them will.
Of the three winners in2026 two have won at Barber multiple times. Alex Palou has won twice, in 2021 and 2025. Josef Newgarden has won three times, in 2015, 2017, and 2018.The track has produced back to back winnersfour times.
In addition to Newgarden, Will Power won the first two races in 2010 and 2011. Ryan Hunter-Reay won in 2013 and 2014. Scott McLaughlin scored victories in 2023 and 2024. Team Penske has won eight times at Barber.
The pole is a different story. Power has three poles-2010,2011, and 2014.Helio Castroneves has started first twice. The other 10 races each have a different one time pole sitter. Thye odds of a fourth different pole sitter for the current season are much better that the chances for a fourth different winner.
Alex Palou and Josef Newgarden are the favorites entering the weekend, followed by Pato O’Ward and Will Power.
Andretti Global’s weakness has been natural road courses, and for points leader Kyle Kirkwood, Barber is a big test of where the team stands on the natural roads.
The 16th running of the Grand Prix will be the first without the track’s founder, George Barber, who died February 16. I never had a chance to meet him, but I have a lot of respect for the work he did to create this gorgeous track and the amazing museum on the grounds. I hope a memorial tribute will be part of the pre race ceremonies.
Television ratings for this race are my main area of concern. Can they hit the 1 million mark again? This is the first race of the new season I have doubts about that.
If there is to be a fourth different winner for the year, I will go with Will Power. He is fast here and knows how to win. At Arlington two weeks ago, Power grabbed his first podium with Andretti, and I think he has shaken off his early season issues.
While O’Ward has been consistent early, I haven’t seen enough pace from McLaren to contend for wins. Sunday could be the day this team makes a statement that they are in the hunt this year. McLaren has bee quick here, with a win and a pole. The victory is O’Ward’s only podium in Alabama.
Notes
Qualifying will return to normal procedure this weekend. The single car Fast Six needs some tweaks before it returns. I presented my thoughts in my post qualiofying post after Arlindton.
Only one set of alternate tires are required for this week’s race.
Scott Dixon has nine podiums but zero wins at Barber.
Two weeks late, but IndyCar penalized Kyffin Simpson for avoidable contact on the last lap at Arlington. Simpson was dropped one place to 20th, and Felix Rosenqvist moved to 19th. I don’t know what took so long. I could understand if this happened later the same week, but two weeks? Imagine this situation after the Indianapolis 500.
