IndyCar | Qualifying | Long Beach GP | Kirkwood storms to pole - Motorsport

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After two free practices IndyCar qualifying in Long Beach started off in chilly conditions. Scott Dixon had an incident in the morning, but the Chip Ganassi Racing crew fixed his car and he made it to qualifying. A full rundown of what happened can be found in the report and results below.

First round – Group 1

The first session started off with two Arrow McLarens, two Penskes, both Juncos cars and both Meyer Shank Racing cars.

Pato O’Ward set the first banker lap with 1:12.2600, but was quickly demoted by teammate Christian Lundgaard.

The first serious time was set by Lundgaard, who immediately turns to the pits. David Malukas puts it on top and also pits. Rinus VeeKay slots into third as his former team mate Conor Daly goes to first.

Next to the top is Kyffin Simpson with 1:07.7026, as Felix Rosenqvist pits after he went straight in turn 8.

After everyone switched to a new set of tyres it is Josef Newgarden who goes to first. Sting Ray Robb puts his Juncos in third as Marcus Armstrong goes straight to the top coming from second to last.

Team mate Rosenqvist goes last to first just before Lundgaard pips him to the top. O’Ward splits both Meyer Shank Cars as Colton Herta slots behind Lundgaard in second.

Going through to the Fast 12:

Lundgaard
Herta
Rosenqvist
O’Ward
Armstrong
Malukas

Pato O'Ward during IndyCar qualifying for the Long Beach GP — Photo credit: Arrow McLaren

First Round – Group 2

First out on track in group 2 is championship leader Álex Palou, who puts a 1:14.3763 banker lap on the timing sheets.

After the initial laps it again is Palou who goes to the top, but he is quickly bested by both Graham Rahal and Santino Ferrucci. Calum Ilott slots in between them, before his Prema team mate Robert Shwartzman goes first.

Alexander Rossi goes to second, with team mate Christian Rasmussen claiming first spot a few moments later.

With everyone switched to the alternate tyre the times not immediately start tumbling down, but with some temperature in the tyres it is Palou going to the top, before former winner Kyle Kirkwood goes first.

Scott McLaughlin goes third from Marcus Ericsson in fourth. Nolan Siegel goes to fourth, bumping Scott Dixon to seventh. No-one else improves at the front, which means the six-time champion is done for the day.

Through to the Fast 12 are:

Kirkwood
Palou
McLaughlin
Siegel
Ericsson
Rossi

Alexander Rossi during qualifying for the IndyCar Long Beach GP — Photo credit: Penske Entertainment

Fast 12

The ten minutes to determine the drivers for the Fast 6 started with O’Ward setting the first banker lap on the soft tyre. Lundgaard follows him in second, before being split by Palou.

Last one to finish a timed lap is Scott McLaughlin, but the Kiwi immediately goes first. Both McLarens quickly go under his time. Herta and Ericsson slot in second and third behind Lundgaard, with their team mate Kirkwood in fifth.

Missing the cut currently are Palou, Malukas, Rossi, Siegel and both Meyer Shank drivers.

After a quick visit to the pits the drivers headed out for their final attempts. O’Ward improves in time but not in position, the same holds for Malukas.

Rossi goes second as Lundgaard improves his time for P1. He is however demoted by Palou, who in turn is quickly dropped two spots by Kirkwood and Herta.

Unfortunately for Lundgaard he puts his car in the tyre barries of turn 9, causing a red flag. This means he loses is two quickest laps, dropping him all the way to 12^th. His Arrow McLaren colleagues are also eliminated.

Through to the Fast 6 are:

Kirkwood
Herta
Palou
Ericsson
McLaughlin
Rosenqvist

Álex Palou during qualifying for the IndyCar Long Beach GP — Photo credit: Chip Ganassi Racing

Fast 6

Qualifying for the Long Beach GP continued with the Fast 6, with Marcus Ericsson being the first one to set a time. Both McLaughlin and Rosenqvist immediately go quicker. Herta made a mistake into turn 1, requiring him to make a drive through.

Switching to a new set of the soft tyres the battle for pole intensified. First one to go to the top is Palou, with Ericsson close behind him in second.

With five seconds to go Kirkwood goes to pole, with team mate Herta taking second despite having to make that drive through. Rosenqvist gets fourth as McLaughlin falls short and ends up in sixth.