When an exciting Full-Subject Qualifying session got here to a detailed Saturday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, all 4 Arrow McLaren drivers had certified for the Indianapolis 500.
And two of these drivers nonetheless have a shot at pole place.
Each Nolan Siegel and NASCAR Cup Sequence Champion Kyle Larson — who’s making an attempt “the double” once more this yr after a rain delay in final yr’s Indianapolis 500 triggered him to overlook the Coca-Cola 600 — certified contained in the High 30, with Larson set to begin in P21 and Siegel ending in P26.
However each Pato O’Ward and Christian Lundgaard completed inside the highest 12, with each drivers advancing to Sunday’s Quick 12.
“It was an excellent day,” stated Lundgaard within the crew’s post-qualifying report. “I feel we began a bit on the again foot, however we had an excellent second run which bought us into the Quick 12 for tomorrow. I’m very joyful and assume we are able to carry that momentum into tomorrow. We’ll see if we are able to discover some pace within the automobile and make tomorrow attention-grabbing.”
Larson admitted he was “nervous” after his first qualifying run, however the NASCAR driver connected the No. 17 on his second try to maneuver as much as P21.
“After the primary run, I used to be a bit nervous that I could be one of many guys battling for the ultimate spots,” stated Larson. “Clearly, we’d like to be within the Quick 12 once more, however total an excellent day with two runs in. I felt fairly balanced, however that comes with a compromise of a little bit of pace.
“I had a nasty restart final yr and fell again towards this beginning place, and we have been in a position to struggle our manner ahead. We’ll be able to execute some good laps and have an excellent consequence.”
Siegel, who fell brief final yr in his try and qualify for final yr’s 500 driving for Dale Coyne Racing, booked a spot in his first Indianapolis 500 with an effort good for twenty sixth. Whereas Siegel known as the day “disappointing and complicated,” he believes his No. 6 automobile can be stronger on race day.
“It was a little bit of a disappointing and complicated day for us. We’re within the present, and we’ll be superb come race day, however I’m undecided why we have been so sluggish. The stability was good. I did 4 laps flat, and we’re simply lacking one thing on outright pace,” stated Siegel. “I don’t assume that may translate to race day, although, and I’ve full confidence we’ll determine it out, however we’re not the place we wish to begin.”
Then there’s O’Ward, who presently sits fourth within the IndyCar standings and is coming off a second-place end within the Sonsio Grand Prix final week. O’Ward completed fourth on the pace charts Saturday, and known as his qualifying session the “greatest Indy 500 qualifying run” of his profession.
“We didn’t actually really feel the necessity to apply this morning; I felt the automobile was fairly stout,” stated O’Ward. “I’m pleased with the work that we’ve executed all month. The blokes and women at Arrow McLaren and Crew Chevy have actually given me a implausible automobile to work with and I bought it to the place I wanted it. I don’t understand how way more constant we are able to get than that.
“It was one of the best Indy 500 qualifying run I’ve ever had.”
Each O’Ward and Lundgaard will drive in Sunday’s Quick 12, which will get underway at 4:05 p.m. Jap. Every of the High 12 vehicles from Saturday’s Full-Subject Qualifying is assured one qualifying try, with the order based mostly on Saturday’s occasions, working from slowest to quickest.
This implies Lundgaard would be the first driver to roll off the road on Sunday in the course of the Quick 12.
The highest six advance to the Firestone Quick Six with a shot at pole place on the road, whereas the underside six within the Quick 12 will fill out spots 7 by way of 12 on the grid for the 109th Indianapolis 500.
