It’s time to set the grid for the first IndyCar Oval race of the 2026 season in Phoenix with Qualifying! Who will manage to set the fastest speed while lapping around the one mile tri-oval? Will reigning Indy 500 winner Alex Palou secure another great performance after his St. Pete race win?
Following his great shunt during Practice 1, Rosenqvist announced that he won’t be taking part in Qualifying for the IndyCar race in Phoenix.
Early strong performances
The first driver to set his laps was Rahal Letterman Laningan Racing’s Mick Schumacher, following his earlier P11. He averaged 177.667 mph. Ferrucci, involved in the same St. Pete crash, settled behind the German with a 170.057 mph.
Even the much more experienced Scott Dixon fell back in line, setting a two lap average of 172.074 mph. Even more impressing, Will Power’s awful luck in his first Andretti races perseveres, as the Aussie driver spins out on his second lap after setting a 174.1 mph.
After a break to repair the barriers, Robb takes P2 with a 172.536 mph, but is short lasted as Siegel sets a an average of almost 173 mph. ECR’s Rasmussen struggles with handling during his attempt, slotting ahead of the sole Ferrucci.
Graham Rahal is the first to dethrone Schumacher, with a 173.993 mph. Right after him, it’s time for another rookie, as Collet takes the track for AJ Foyt. However, he is not as successful as Schumacher, settling in last with a 167.647 mph.
Rossi had a very consistent first lap, but his tyres significantly dropped during the second, not allowing him to go further than P3, in the low 173mphs.
The third RLL driver Louis Foster wasn’t as successful as his previous teammates, as he wiggled way off the racing line, setting a 171.827 mph. Another first time in the books for Penske’s Malukas, who raises the benchmark to 175.383 mph.
Mid-Pack
Armstrong slots right ahead of his former teammate Dixon, whereas reigning INDYNXT champion Hauger sets a 169.818 mph for a disappointing provisional P14. Veekay sets a 173.248 mph, with a final wiggle hindering him as well, while DCR’s Grosjean performs only slightly better than his teammate in 170.814 mph.
Newgarden joins Malukas at the top of the standings with a 174.993 mph, still a good chunk off his teammate but right behind him in P2. Consequently, it is confirmed that Schumacher will start his first oval race from the top 10.
Ericsson slots in P10, whereas O’Ward goes way too high between Turn 1 and 2, losing a lot of time and having to make do with 173.344 mph.
The final laps of the session!
Kirkwood becomes the best performing Andretti driver in IndyCar Qualifying, setting a positive 173.878 mph for provisional P9. Arrow McLaren’s Lundgaard has a subdued performance, with a 171.566 mph, in line with his earlier P15 in practice.
McLaughlin too steers a bit high off the racing line, not too satisfied with his balance, setting ultimately a 173.448 mph. Finally, it’s time for the championship leader Palou, who settles for P10 in 172.980 mph, slotting right ahead of Kirkwood to become the best qualifying Honda driver.
Consequently, Malukas secures his first-ever IndyCar Pole position in Phoenix, qualifying for Penske! He will start ahead of his teammate Josef Newgarden and of a very impressive Rahal Letterman Laningan Racing duo of Rahal and Schumacher.
Tune in later for Final Practice!
