Scott McLaughlin delivered a smooth performance in NTT IndyCar Series qualifying to claim pole for Sunday’s Grand Prix of Portland.
The 29-year-old New Zealander wheeled the No. 3 Team Penske Chevrolet to a flying lap of 58.2349s (121.412 mph) at the 12-turn, 1.964-mile road course en route to the top spot. The result marks McLaughlin’s third pole of the 2022 season.
The 3’s are thirsty.@smclaughlin93 beats out his @Team_Penske teammates to capture pole position for the @Portland_GP.#INDYCAR // #PortlandGP pic.twitter.com/MF5roFc5rq
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) September 3, 2022
The pace of McLaughlin was also proved throughout the entire Team Penske organization as Josef Newgarden qualified second, with current championship leader Will Power ending up third. However, Newgarden will relinquish the front-row starting spot and after receiving a six-position starting grid penalty for an engine change ahead of the race weekend at Portland International Raceway.
It was an impressive showing from rookie Christian Lundgaard, who led Honda and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing with a stout fourth-place effort.
Reigning NTT IndyCar Series champion and defending race winner Alex Palou was the only driver from Chip Ganassi Racing to advance into the Firestone Fast Six and ended up fifth when the checkered flag flew. Arrow McLaren SP’s Pato O’Ward continued his methodical improvement with pace and came away sixth.
Felix Rosenqvist was a narrow miss from the Fast Six, with his No. 7 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet placing seventh.
The Andretti Autosport duo of Colton Herta and Alexander Rossi ended up eighth and ninth, respectively. Rookie David Malukas put his No. 18 Dale Coyne Racing with HMD Motorsports Honda in 10th.
"I hit the inside wall, turn 1."
Ride with @ColtonHerta as he collects slight damage during @Portland_GP Qualifying.#INDYCAR // @portlandraceway pic.twitter.com/nswSIAyIw3
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) September 3, 2022
Graham Rahal’s No. 15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda was 11th, while the No. 21 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet of Rinus VeeKay came away 12th.
The first driver to miss out on the Fast 12 was AJ Foyt Racing rookie Kyle Kirkwood, who ended up with a solid showing of 13th.
The most significant notables were six-time NTT IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon, who qualified 16th, and he was joined by Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Marcus Ericsson in 18th as neither championship contender advanced out of Group 1 qualifying.
Up Next: The final practice session is set for 7:15 p.m. ET, with live coverage on Peacock, IndyCar Live! and the IndyCar Radio Network.
