The NTT IndyCar Series took to the streets of Long Beach, California midday Saturday to set the grid for Sunday’s feature race.
A standard knockout format was on offer, with the fastest six drivers advancing through two rounds to fight against one another in the Firestone Fast Six to set the first three rows.
At the end of the final round, it was Felix Rosenqvist that earned his first IndyCar pole since switching to Meyer Shank Racing with a lap of 1:06.0172 around the 1.97-mile course.
READ MORE: IndyCar Long Beach – Full Qualifying Results
Rosenqvist’s lap gives MSR its first ever IndyCar pole, not counting the pole at the exhibition round at The Thermal Club last month, and continues a strong start to a relationship between the Swede and his new team.
Crossing the line just 0.004 seconds slower was Will Power, who looked on course to take the top spot until he lost ground in the very final hairpin.
The two-time champion was ever so close to extending his lead atop the record books as the all-time IndyCar pole winner, but was still satisfied with a spot outside the front row.
Power’s team-mate Josef Newgarden logged the third fastest time, continuing his own strong start to the 2024 season.
Andretti team-mates Colton Herta and Marcus Ericsson earned the fourth and fifth starting spots, with Ericsson completing just a single run on his softer green-walled tires.
Alex Palou rounded out the Fast Six with a performance that gives him a chance to build on his momentum carried over from his dominant championship run last season.
Just missing out on the Fast Six was Christian Lundgaard, who completed his lap 0.019 seconds below the cut line to advance to the final round and will start from the seventh position.
The most surprising driver that did not advance to the final round was Kyle Kirkwood. The California-native was on top of the timesheets in Saturday morning practice, but struggled to find clear track for his qualifying run.
Alexander Rossi was thoroughly disappointed with his run, curtly saying after he climbed from the car that his Arrow McLaren Chevy simply lacked pace. He did not advance out of the first round, and will start from 13th.
Pato O’Ward was equally disappointed with his run, also missing out on advancing to the second round by a fine margin. The Mexican driver will start on the outside of row seven.
The talented debutant Theo Pourchaire held his own in his first ever IndyCar event, earning the 22nd starting spot while filling in for David Malukas.
The reigning F2 champion is focused on keeping his Arrow McLaren Chevy out of trouble for Sunday’s race, and any gained positions will be an added bonus.
The 85-lap event gets underway just after noon Pacific Time, and will feature plenty of action of the shoreline streets just outside of Los Angeles.
