Palou nabs Sonsio GP pole, Lundqvist to start 19th
Returning to the road course that launched him toward a second NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship, Chip Ganassi Racing’s (CGR) Alex Palou again showed penchant for strong showings in the month of May in Indianapolis.
Driving the No. 10 DHL Honda that features American Legion branding, Palou won the pole in the Sonsio Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. On the same course a year ago, Palou won the then-GMR Grand Prix, which he followed with the pole in the Indy 500 and then three straight wins to seize control of the points race.
“We say it's the biggest month. It's our most important month,” Palou said. “We have two races, including the biggest race. We spend here a lot of time. Like I slept last night here at the track, and I'll be spending the full week next week here. It feels like home, and it feels special.”
Palou’s fast lap of 1:09.0004 in the Fast Six qualifying session edged out Christian Lundgaard (1:09.0921).
“It feels special,” said Palou, who currently sits in third place in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES points race. “We started a bit slow, struggling a little bit with the car balance in both practices. Yeah, kind of surprised that we are here, but at the same time, we are enjoying the moment and looking forward to tomorrow starting on pole.
“Every time you start from the front it makes it feel (special), but especially if it’s here.”
CGR rookie Linus Lundqvist, driving the No. 8 American Legion Honda with Be the One branding, ran 23rd in the day’s opening practice and 22nd in the second session before qualifying 19th. He started in the same spot in the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix but was able to move up 16 spots and earn his first podium finish.
“Obviously we wanted to start up higher. It always makes your life a little bit easier,” Lundqvist said. “But we just didn’t have the pace today. I’ve been struggling all day to kind of wrap my head around it. But we showed last time out it’s definitely possible to make up some ground.”
Lundqvist currently sits in eighth place in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES points race and has a 17-point lead over teammate Kyffin Simpson in the Rookie of the Year standings. He’s enjoying being a part of Chip Ganassi Racing on site at what is called the “The Racing Capital of the World.”
“I’m extremely proud to be a part of this team and everything that it stands for and everything that it’s worked for,” Lundqvist said. “Obviously you’re going up against some of the best drivers in the world, so it’s going to be a tough day at the job every time you get into the car. But what other place would you look at being a rookie and being able to learn from Scott Dixon and Alex Palou. It’s an amazing opportunity, and I’m trying to learn as much as I can and hopefully one day give these guys a run for their money.”
The Sonsio Grand Prix begins at 3 p.m. ET Saturday and can be seen on both NBC and Peacock.
To learn more about the Legion’s Be the One program – including how to participate in training sessions – click here.