IndyCar News: Ghiotto Impresses in first IndyCar Qualifying

Dale Coyne Racing drivers Jack Harvey and Luca Ghiotto took part in IndyCar qualifying Saturday for Sunday’s Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix.

Harvey, who was impeded on his fast lap by a competitor, had to settle for 22nd on the grid, while his teammate and rookie Ghiotto put in an impressive performance to qualify 21st for his first NTT INDYCAR SERIES race after only two practice sessions worth of seat.

Ghiotto turned his first laps aboard an NTT INDYCAR SERIES car on Friday during practice 1 of the weekend.

He continuously made progress throughout the two practice sessions and continued to do so in qualifying where Ghiotto ended up out qualifying several drivers with more IndyCar experience than him.

The Italian driver took to the track on the alternate red tire in Round 1, Group 1 of qualifying and registered a lap of 1:06.9633.

On a fresh set of the alternate tire in the second half of the 10-minute session, Ghiotto improved his lap time to 1:06.4788 on his eighth of final lap.

His time placed him 11th in his group and 21st on the starting grid for his first NTT INDYCAR SERIES race.

Ghiotto Post Qualifying Quote
“It was a crazy experience. I’m happy because we kept improving, even now in qualifying we were closer to the top. The car felt good. Of course, there’s some more in myself as I still need to fully be on the limit of the car. I feel like already being 11th and putting some cars behind us is a decent result and is honestly far more than I expected. It’s been a crazy learning curve from Friday morning, and I just can’t wait for the race. With 90 laps in the race there’s plenty of time to learn more.”