It’s time to set the grid for tomorrow’s race with IndyCar Qualifying in Mid-Ohio, view the full report and results below. Who will take the top spot for at the road course after two crash-filled and action packed practice sessions?
IndyCar Qualifying Mid-Ohio Group 1
Lundgaard, O’Ward, Herta, Simpson, Rasmussen, Ericsson, Siegel, McLaughlin, Daly, Defrancesco, Robb, Abel and Ferrucci compose the first group of drivers in qualifying A.
After the first set of attempts Siegel is on top in 1:10.718s, leading from Herta and Rasmussen. O’Ward has issues with his drink and pits to solve them, as the benchmark gets lower and lower.
In rapid succession Lundgaard sets a lap in the 1:07s and Ericsson in the 1:06s, with Defrancesco taking provisional P1 shortly after. It’s great to see the Andretti driver back on track and running after his earlier crash.
The Canadian driver is still the leader at the halfway point in the group, ahead of Ericsson and Robb, Daly an impressive Simpson who has been positively performing for the entire weekend so far and McLaughlin, while big names such as Herta and O’Ward are momentarily out.
With the last set of timed laps the passing zone is completely redesigned, as Lundgaard takes the lead with a 1:05.283s, 0.300s ahead of Ericsson and Herta.
Rasmussen had a moment on his final lap as he ran over the kerb, however he still manages to move on to the Fast 12 alongside Simpson. In the final heated moment of the session Siegel manages to bolt up to P4, unlike his teammate O’Ward and Penske’s McLaughlin.
IndyCar Qualifying Mid-Ohio Group 2
Kirkwood gets in the early lead with a 1:09.229s, but times quickly lower as Foster laps in the 1:08s and Palou and Power in the 1:07s.
It’s a qualifying group stacked with great names, as with 6 minutes left we have already lowered the best time from the previous group. Road America pole sitter Foster signs in fact a 1:05.573s, which has him get provisional P1 aheead of Rossi, Veekay, Rosenqvist, Palou and Newgarden.
It’s not a positive session so far for Prema, with Shwartzman and Ilott at the back. Palou bolts to P1 with his second flying lap in 1:05.204s, as Penske drivers actually struggle again. Ultimately neither Power nor Newgarden manage to advance to the Fast 12, once again in a very challenging year for the entire team.
Palou moves on instead alongside Foster, Dixon, Kirkwood, Armstrong and Rossi. It’s a challenging day for Dale Coyne Racing as well, with Veekay starting at the back.
IndyCar Qualifying Mid-Ohio Fast 12
Drivers take a bit of time to get on track in order to score the most favourable spot to take advantage f track evolution. Foster goes fastest while having a moment on his 1:06.308s by running wide on the grass but still managing to keep his car running.
Siegel and Kirkwood are the next to cycle in at the top spot, as the driver from Jupiter, Florida sets a 1:05.914s. Ganassi’s Palou and Dixon would be advancing to the Fast 6 as well at the halfway point in the session.
The Andretti driver pits after scoring such an impressive time. However, ultimately he gets eliminated, as Foster sets the fastest lap of thee Fast 12 in 1:05.0897s, and will battle for pole with Lundgaard, Palou, Herta, Siegel and Simpson.
IndyCar Qualifying Mid-Ohio Fast 6
Siegel leads after the first set of attempts from Simpson and Palou in 1:07.370, whreas Foster, Lundgaard and Herta have opted to save a first set of tyres, going out on track with less than three minutes left on the clock.
Foster’s first lap in 1:06.239s has him in the lead just like last time out in Road America, however this time around it’s not enough for pole. Palou bolts to the top in 1:05.021s, ahead of Simpson and Herta. The McLaren drivers were the last to take thee chequered flag, as Lundgaard takes P2 and Siegel P4.
It was an impressive display from Simpson, who managed to save a set of tyres and will also start from P3. Ganassi and McLaren as a whole have had a strong day in Mid-Ohio, as champiosnhip leader Palou takes the ninth IndyCar pole position of his career.
Tune in tomorrow for the main event!
IndyCar qualifying results at Mid-Ohio
