Qualifying at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has concluded, and the grid for the 2024 Indy 500 has been decided.
After a thrilling first day of qualifying, places 13-30 on the grid have been decided, but action has only just begun at both the top and bottom of the grid, and while the pole sitter for the Indy 500 has yet to be determined, the last chance remains to be determined. Not yet. The battle for qualifying has begun so as not to miss the race show next Sunday.
Scott McLaughlin takes pole position for 2024 Indy 500
The first Top 12 qualifying session determined grid positions 7-12, with the top six remaining in contention for pole position and advancing to the Firestone Fast Six.
And it was Scott McLaughlin who led the charge to the Fast Six in P1, with Will Power, Josef Newgarden, Alexander Rossi, Kyle Larson and Santino Ferrucci also securing qualification.
What followed was a battle for a spot on the grid between former Sauber and Caterham F1 drivers Marcus Ericsson, Nolan Siegel, Graham Rahal and Katherine Legge.
One car was scheduled to miss out, with 2022 Indy 500 winner Erickson suffering a disaster in his first run when he crossed wires and took off a lap before the attempt was complete.
The Swede had one more attempt left to avoid the pain of a collision and he took advantage of it, scoring an average of 230.027 points and securing his place on the grid. Siegel had a chance to fight back, but the rookie, who gave his all, crashed and was eliminated from the Indy 500 field.
The focus then returned to the front of the grid and the Firestone Fast Six, where the 2024 Indy 500 pole sitter will be determined.
Once half the field had run, Arrow McLaren’s Rossi, a former F1 driver for Marussia, took provisional pole position.
However, with Team Penske’s McLaughlin securing a front row spot and winning the pole for the 2024 Indy 500, Penske will be forced to settle for a spot at the front of the second row.
Firestone Fast 6 times
1. Scott McLaughlin – Average speed 234.220
2. Will Power – 233.917
3. Joseph Newgarden – 233.808
4. Alexander Rossi – 233.090
5. Kyle Larson – 232.846
6. Santino Ferrucci – 232.692
Last chance qualifying time
31. Katherine Legge – average speed 230.092
32. Marcus Eriksson – 230.027
33. Graham Rahal – 229.974
Nolan Siegel collided
Top 12 qualifying times
1. Scott McLaughlin – Average speed 233.492
2. Will Power – 233.483
3. Joseph Newgarden – 233.286
4. Alexander Rossi – 233.071
5. Kyle Larson – 232.788
6. Santino Ferrucci – 232.723
7. Linus Vikay – 232.610
8. Pato O’Ward – 232.584
9. Felix Rosenqvist – 232.305
Ten. Takuma Sato – 232.171
11. Kike Kirkwood – 230.993
12. Ryan Hunter-Reay – 230.567
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