IndyCar News: Herta takes the Pole for the Indy Toronto

Colton Herta earned his third pole of the season with a lap time of 59.5431 for the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto. The American driver has been the fastest in both practice sessions this weekend.

Andretti Global teammate Kyle Kirkwood, claimed the second starting spot with a lap of 59.6735, 0.13s behind Herta.

Earning his third NTT P1 Award of the season and second pole on the Streets of Toronto, Herta started the weekend strong after landing at the top of both practice session leaderboards. His momentum continued into qualifying advancing through both rounds to earn his ninth Firestone Fast Six appearance of the season. Herta will make his fourth front-row start of the year when he takes on the Streets of Toronto tomorrow afternoon.

“I’m very excited with today’s results,” said Herta. “The No. 26 Gainbridge Honda has been a rocket ship all weekend and over the past few races. Luck has not turned our way this year for a win yet. However, we’ve always had good results on the Streets of Toronto and I hope we can transfer that tomorrow. I’m happy for the whole team and it is great to have Kyle alongside me for a front-row sweep.”

“I’m extremely happy with our performance today,” said Kirkwood.

“This is the first time that I have had a front-row lockout with this team. After last year’s qualifying, it’s nice to rebound here and have a really good shot at it. Of course, the No. 27 crew wanted the pole, but the next best thing is to have the teammate on the pole. Congrats to Colton with his third pole of the year. It’s impressive and he has been strong all weekend. It was a great day for the Andretti Global team and I can’t wait to take on the track tomorrow.”

Team owner Michael Andretti won a record seven races at Toronto’s Exhibition Place, and now his drivers are on a winning pace on the 11-turn, 1.786-mile street circuit.

Meyer Shank Racing’s Felix Rosenqvist will start in the third position after putting down a lap of 59.8252, 0.28s behind Herta.

Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin will start fourth tomorrow after his fast lap of 59.9082, 0.365s behind Herta.

Juncos Hollinger’s Romain Grosjean will start fifth after his fast lap of 1m.0012.

Rosenqvist’s teammate, David Malukas, will start sixth, 0.67s behind Herta.

The American lost this first fast lap after causing a local yellow that affected another competitor in segment two.  He set a faster lap later in session two to advance to the Fast Six.

Colton Herta

Herta had the car to beat this weekend.  His teammate, Kyle Kirkwood, gave Herta a run for his money.

Herta talked to the media regarding his qualifying and what would happen in the race.

“I already love, like, street courses the most out of all the tracks I think that we do. I think it’s the toughest single lap that you’ll put together all year, is on a street course.”

“When you get a pole here, it’s very rewarding, or at any street course that we go to.”

“It’s been brutal to not have a win in a year and a half. We’ve had pace and we’ve been doing the right things. I think three second-place finishes, a couple thirds, a bunch of top fives.  We’re putting ourselves in positions to win, but it hasn’t fallen our way for one reason or another.”

“But I’m excited for tomorrow. It’s good to have another teammate up there that we can work on with strategy and help each other out.”

“Yeah, I think it should be a fun and exciting race for everybody. Giant windows, a two- topper, a lot of strategy to come into play, which if you’re starting up front you don’t
want. But it’s how this race is. It’s always exciting.”

“Hopefully it’s another exciting one and we can capitalize on the opportunities and have a win tomorrow.”

Kyle Kirkwood

Teammates are always competitive between themselves.  Kirkwood almost knocked his teammate, Colton Herta, off the top spot before the Fast Six session was done.  The American talked to the media about his starting position in the race.

“I’m super happy with our performance this weekend. From the start of the weekend we’ve been really, really strong. We’ve not had to make many adjustments to the car, which is usually a trait of having a good weekend, right? Usually when you roll off quick, you don’t do much to the car, typically it translates into pretty good things.”

“Yeah, it’s been fluid, it’s been really good. Glad that we got the front row. Lockout is huge for Andretti Global. Of course, I want the pole. If I’m not to get it, then obviously a
teammate is the next best thing for it to happen.”

I anticipate that Herta and Kirkwood will not be working out who will be first into Turn 1 until is happens in Lap 1 of the race tomorrow.

Qualifying Results

Lucille Dust reporting live from Toronto