MALUKAS TAKES FIRST POLE POSITION IN INDYCAR
The NTT IndyCar Series returned to Phoenix Raceway in Arizona for qualifying ahead of the Phoenix 250. Drivers took to the 1-mile oval to set the starting grid for Saturday’s race, with Malukas on pole.
Each driver completed a two-lap run during qualifying. The starting order was decided by the average speed of those two laps.
David Malukas secured the pole position with an average speed of 175.383 mph. His strong run placed him at the front of the grid for the race.
Josef Newgarden will start second after posting a 174.548 mph average, while Graham Rahal qualified third with 173.993 mph. Mick Schumacher delivered an impressive performance to qualify fourth on his first ever oval race, followed by Scott McLaughlin in fifth.
Alexander Rossi and Pato O’Ward will start sixth and seventh, with Rinus VeeKay eighth. Nolan Siegel and Alex Palou completed the top ten.
The session also included some trouble. Will Power spun during his qualifying attempt and backed his car into the wall, causing heavy damage to the No. 26 machine. He was unable to finish his run and will start near the back of the field. Felix Rosenqvist did not record a qualifying time.
The Phoenix 250 will take place on the fast one-mile oval, where tight racing and strategy often play a key role in deciding the winner.
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