IndyCar News: Lundqvist Claims Pole for Xpel GP at Road America

Linus Lundqvist, the promising rookie from Ganassi Racing, has made a stunning debut in the IndyCar series by claiming his first career pole for tomorrow’s race with a blistering lap of 1:45.1519 around the 4-mile Road America circuit.

The Detroit polesitter, Colton Herta, was second fastest with a lap of 1:45.2913.

Lundquist’s teammate,  Marcus Armstrong, will start third after a lap of 1:45.6592.

Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood was fourth fastest with a lap of 1:45.4498.

Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden and Will Power had incidents during this session and ended up in fifth and sixth, respectively.

A MASSIVE impact for @josefnewgarden at the end of qualifying.

The No. 2 driver has been seen and released.#INDYCAR // #XPELGP pic.twitter.com/xSdaiOK2lQ

— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) June 8, 2024

Qualifying in the rain, a rare occurrence in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, added an extra layer of challenge.  The teams had to carefully balance the use of wet and alternate tires, making for a thrilling session.

The wet tires did not hold up for more than two laps, and the drying tack made it challenging to keep them cool as the qualifying groups advanced, but Lundqvist pulled it out.

The alternate (Red) tires did not work on the first lap of the Fast Six because some of the track was not dry enough.

Linus Lundqvist

The 2022 INDY NXT (formerly Lights) was excited to finally achieve a pole in his first full year of IndyCar.  The Swede had five wins and nine podiums during that championship year.

“The pole, I mean, it’s huge. What makes it even bigger is to do it together with Chip Ganassi Racing and the American Legion, as well. Especially with their message, to be the one. It feels special to be able to say that proudly now. It feels you’re representing something bigger than racing and bigger than life.”

“To be able to bring that to the forefront, to the front of the row, front of the field I should say, is something I’m incredibly proud of. Hopefully not the last time.”

“We had all five Ganassi cars into the Fast 12 today.  That was pretty awesome.”

“I say this was one of the craziest qualifying sessions I’ve had. This feels like an average British F3 qualifying back in the day type of style where started off torrential rain, then the last part it dried up, we threw on the slicks.”

“It was kind of fun going back to that, a little bit back to my roots. Even growing up back in Sweden, half the races we did was in the rain. I’m pretty comfortable there.”

Road America IndyCar Qualifying Results

Pursuant to rule 8.3.6, Car 66 lost 2 fastest laps. Pursuant to rule 8.3.6, Car 12 lost 2 fastest laps. Pursuant to rule 8.3.6, Car 2 lost 2 fastest laps. Pursuant to rule 8.3.8.1.3, Cars 12 and 2 ordered on Segment Two times.

Lucille Dust reporting live from Road America