Graham Rahal clocked an electrifying lap time of 58.3195 seconds, dominating the competition across the almost two-mile, 12-corner natural terrain circuit. This marks the second time this year that Rahal has snatched the pole position, a feat he last managed way back in 2009.
The Elusive Fast Six Qualifying Round
Rahal secured his top grid placement with a set of primary black sidewall tires, an impressive feat given that the other five racers in the Fast Six switched to alternate red sidewall rubber. Despite this, Rahal remained unshakable and unbeatable. Scott McLaughlin of Team Penske trailed just behind, a mere 0.033 seconds off Rahal’s scorching pace.
Coming in at third was Andretti Autosport’s Colton Herta, followed by the dynamic duo from Chip Ganassi Racing—Scott Dixon and Alex Palou. Rounding out the Fast Six was Pato O’Ward from Arrow McLaren.
Interrupted Session and Newgarden’s Misfortune
The qualifying session hit a speed bump less than three minutes in, when Josef Newgarden plowed his Team Penske Chevrolet into the tire walls at Turn 12. The Tennessee-based driver, who openly acknowledged the mishap as a self-inflicted blunder, ended his chances for a higher grid placement and will start from the 12th position. “Unfortunately, it’s all on me,” Newgarden lamented. “I tried to brake too late, got off track and ended up hugging the wall—typical rookie mistake, even if I’m not a rookie.”
Those Who Didn’t Make the Cut
Several other drivers failed to advance past the Fast Six, including Newgarden’s teammate Will Power, who just missed the cut by a hair-thin margin of 0.0531 seconds. Drivers from Juncos Hollinger Racing, Arrow McLaren, and Chip Ganassi Racing also experienced setbacks, failing to make the cut.
The Highs and Lows of Qualifying Groups
In the first group, Rahal initially set the pace but was soon overtaken by Felix Rosenqvist, who posted the fastest lap of the day. Championship leader Alex Palou asserted his dominance in Group 2, setting the fastest lap times with both primary and alternate tires.
Final Thoughts
In a twist of fate and tires, Graham Rahal stole the spotlight and the pole position in a mesmerizing qualifying session. As for Josef Newgarden, well, he’ll have to be content with starting the race from somewhere in the middle of the pack. But in the unpredictable world of IndyCar racing, anything can happen. And usually does. So, buckle up, race fans—this is bound to be an adrenaline-pumping event!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about IndyCar Portland Qualifying
What event does this article cover?
The article covers the IndyCar qualifying event held at Portland, focusing particularly on Graham Rahal securing the pole position.
Who took the pole position in this event?
Graham Rahal clinched the pole position with a flying lap time of 58.3195s.
What was notable about Josef Newgarden in this event?
Josef Newgarden crashed during the qualifying session, causing a red flag to be raised. He admitted the mistake was self-inflicted and will start the race from the 12th position.
How did Graham Rahal achieve his pole-winning time?
Rahal set his pole-winning time using a set of primary, black sidewall tires. Despite the competition switching to alternate, red sidewall tires, he remained unbeaten.
Who were the other notable racers in the Fast Six qualifying?
Scott McLaughlin finished second, narrowly missing the top spot by 0.033s. He was followed by Colton Herta, Scott Dixon, Alex Palou, and Pato O’Ward, who made up the rest of the Fast Six.
Were there any other incidents that disrupted the qualifying session?
Yes, the session was interrupted by a red flag less than three minutes in, following Newgarden’s crash into the tire barriers at Turn 12.
What were the conditions like during the qualifying sessions?
The article mentions that conditions varied from session to session, affecting some drivers like Alexander Rossi who struggled to get the balance right on their cars.
What challenges did other drivers face during qualifying?
Besides Newgarden’s crash, some drivers faced issues with tire selection and balance. For instance, Will Power missed the cut by a slim margin, and Alexander Rossi struggled with car balance.
Who are some drivers that didn’t make it through the qualifying?
Drivers like Will Power, Callum Ilott, Alexander Rossi, Marcus Ericsson, and Felix Rosenqvist failed to make it into the Fast Six.
What are the starting positions of the drivers who led the group stage qualifying?
In Group 1, Felix Rosenqvist had the fastest lap and will start in a favorable position. In Group 2, championship leader Alex Palou led and also secured a good starting position.
More about IndyCar Portland Qualifying
- Official IndyCar Series Website
- Graham Rahal’s Career Stats
- IndyCar Portland Qualifying Results
- Josef Newgarden’s Post-Qualifying Interview
- Scott McLaughlin’s 2023 Season Performance
- Fast Six Qualifying Explained
- IndyCar Tire Rules and Regulations
- Alex Palou’s Championship Standings
- Weather Conditions at Portland During Qualifying
- 2023 IndyCar Season Calendar
8 comments
Wow, Rahal is killin it this season. who would’ve thought he’d get another pole after ’09? mad respect.
black sidewall tires for the win. Rahal knows his stuff, who needs reds?
Did anyone see that rookie Juri Vips? Not a bad debut if ya ask me.
Scott McLaughlin was so close! just 0.033s off. That’s gotta sting, huh?
Newgarden, man, what happened? Into the barriers? lol, better luck next time, bud.
Feelin bad for Grosjean, seems traffic messed up his run. Traffic ruins everything, even in racing.
Armstrong said his reds didn’t switch on? guess its not all about the rubber you choose, huh.
So many surprises in the quals. Palou fast as ever, but Rosenqvist had the fastest lap of the day? wild stuff.