Pato O’Ward claims 202.621 mph pole lap for IndyCar finale

Pato O’Ward won’t be capable of take house the NTT IndyCar Sequence title this yr. However with the runner-up championship lead to hand, the Mexican star has a brand new accomplishment to chase within the season finale at Nashville Superspeedway.

“I’ve by no means gained a race from pole,” O’Ward stated Saturday. “That’s on my to-do record this weekend.”

O’Ward laid down a two-lap qualifying time of 47.2607s, accomplished at a blistering common pace of 202.621 mph, to say the pole for the Borchette Bourbon Music Metropolis Grand Prix. The result’s O’Ward’s third pole of 2025, and first on an oval.

Patricio O’ward, Arrow McLaren

Picture by: Penske Leisure

The 26-year-old entered qualifying as a favourite to take the highest spot, having led the day’s earlier follow session. He put collectively two clean laps to make it occur, avoiding any points with the infamous bumps in turns 3 and 4 of the 1.33-mile oval.

“(The) automotive was nice, felt actually comfy in follow and didn’t give me any scares or something,” O’Ward stated. “I used to be pleased with that. Superb.”

Felix Rosenqvist, Meyer Shank Racing

Picture by: Penske Leisure

For the second-straight week, David Malukas needed to accept second after holding the highest spot into the closing minutes of qualifying. The Chicagoan’s 201.922 mph common withstood a number of late checks, however fell nicely in need of O’Ward’s fast tempo. He was knocked off of a maiden pole by Alex Palou’s last effort final weekend on the Milwaukee Mile.

Christian Lundgaard will roll off third, giving Arrow McLaren two of the top-three starters for the season finale. Lundgaard might be attempting to overhaul Scott Dixon for third within the championship standings. The pair have been separated by simply seven factors getting into the weekend.

Christian Lundgaard, Arrow McLaren

Picture by: Penske Leisure

Alex Palou will be part of Lundgaard within the second row, rolling off fourth on a day the place he’s assured to hoist up the Astor Cup as sequence champion. Dixon wrapped up the top-five in qualifying, with Josef Newgarden, Nolan Siegel, Scott McLaughlin, Callum Ilott and Kyffin Simpson wrapping up the highest 10.

There have been no crashes or main points in the course of the session. The one setbacks will go to Ilott and Milwaukee winner Christian Rasmussen, who will endure nine-place grid penalties for unapproved engine adjustments forward of the race weekend.

The IndyCar subject will return to the 1.33-mile oval for high-line and last follow at 4:30 p.m. ET, with protection on FS2. The Borchetta Bourbon Music Metropolis Grand Prix will go stay on FOX Sunday at 2:00 p.m. ET.

Images from Nashville – Apply & Qualifying