By: Spencer Neff
June 1, 2024
Andretti Global’s Colton Herta earned pole position for Sunday’s Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix. Herta, who earned his 12th career pole in 88 NTT INDYCAR SERIES appearances. It is his first pole since Mid-Ohio in July of 2023, 13 races ago.
During the final round of qualifying, the driver of the No. 26 entry posted a best lap of 1m00.5475 (97.808 mph).
Last year, he started 24th and finished 11th. The previous best start of his career in Detroit was second in Race 2 of the 2021 Belle Isle doubleheader. He finished that race in fourth, the best of his six previous starts in the Motor City.
Round 3-Fast 6
Joining Herta on the front row is Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou. The current points leader won the pole and led 74 of 100 laps en route to victory in last year’s race. Row 2 features the Team Penske cars of Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden and Indianapolis 500 pole sitter Scott McLaughlin.
McLaughlin was also penalized earlier in the final round. Pursuant to rule 8.3.7.3, Car 3 lost best lap to that point, per the official results posted.
Rule 8.3.7.3- “If a Car causes a Yellow Condition that requires another Car to comply with Rule 7.1.3.2, the Car’s best-timed lap to that point during that Qualifications segment shall be disallowed, regardless of whether the other Car complied with Rule 7.1.3.2. If the Car does not have a timed lap recorded when causing the Yellow Condition, a Black Flag drive-through penalty will be assessed once the lap on which the Yellow Condition occurred has been completed.”
Palou and Herta’s teammates Scott Dixon and Kyle Kirkwood will start from Row 3.
With 43 seconds remaining, Kirkwood spun in Turn 1’s run-off area, prompting the red flag and bringing his session to a premature end.
Round 2-Fast 12
Herta led the way in Round 2 (1m00.2304-98.322 mph) . As they did in this morning’s practice, Kirkwood was second to his teammate.
Dixon, McLaughlin, Palou and Newgarden also would join the Fast Six.
Not making it would include Theo Pourchaire, the best rookie in the field, Will Power, Marcus Ericsson, Santino Ferrucci, Christian Lundgaard and Pato O’Ward. They start in seventh through 12th.
With three minutes and 45 seconds remaining, Arrow McLaren’s O’Ward stalled in Turn 5, prompting the red flag. O’Ward was penalized in accordance with Rule 8.3.6.
“If a Car causes a Red Condition in any segment, the Car’s best two (2) timed laps of the segment shall be disallowed, the Car may not continue in the segment, and the Car shall not advance to the next segment.”
Round 1-Group 2
Palou (1m00.3478-98.131 mph) was fastest in the second group. In addition to Palou, Lundgaard, Herta, Ericsson, O’Ward and Dixon advanced.
. Not advancing with Harvey were Graham Rahal, Pietro Fittipaldi, Agustin Canapino, Marcus Armstrong, Felix Rosenqvist, Sting Ray Robb, Helio Castroneves and Jack Harvey.
Round 1-Group 1
Pourchaire was quickest in the first grouping of the opening round. He turned a best lap of 1m00,7000 (97.562 mph). Advancing with him were. Mclaughlin, Newgarden, Kirkwood, Power and Ferrucci.
Those who did not advance were Christian Rasmussen, Romain Grosjean, Alexander Rossi, Rinus VeeKay, Linus Lundqvist, Kyffin Simpson and Tristan Vautier.
Simpson and Rahal both have six-position grid penalties they will serve in tomorrow’s race, relegating them to 27th and 20th respectively.
Rosenqvist was penalized under Rule 8.3.7.3, the same rule McLaughlin would be penalized for.
Newgarden and Penske announce contract extension
Shortly after Saturday’s qualifying was finished, Team Penske and Josef Newgarden announced a multi-year contract extension.
Newgarden has won two series championships (2017 and 2019) since joining Team Penske in 2017. On Sunday, he earned a second Indianapolis 500 victory in as many years, Team Penske’s 20th overall.
“Josef Newgarden is a true winner, and we are excited that he will continue as a part of Team Penske for years to come,” said team owner Roger Penske.
“What he did Sunday in the Indianapolis 500 shows how Josef consistently delivers for our team and our partners on the track, and he is just as impressive off the track as well. We are proud to have Josef continue with our organization as his skill and passion embody what it means to be a Team Penske driver.”
Newgarden also saw long-time sponsor Hitachi Astemo renew their partnership with him and Penske.
“Driving for Roger Penske and this iconic team is a dream that I never thought I would realize,” Newgarden added in Penske’s announcement.
“I’m thankful for the opportunities that I’ve been given during my time at Team Penske. I have a great amount of respect for the individuals that comprise our group, including the partners who support us. Our time together has been filled with hard work, teamwork and dedication; and I’m so excited that we will continue on for many more years to come. I’m sure that we can achieve much more in the future. I still believe we haven’t reached our full potential together just yet.”
Up Next
Here is the race day on-track schedule for the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix. IndyCar1909 will have recaps of all on-track sessions. Dan Maldonado of Turn Four IndyCar Podcast is on-site in Detroit for this weekend’s race.
At-track schedule (all times local):
SUNDAY, JUNE 2
9:30-10 a.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES warmup, Peacock
10:25 a.m. INDY NXT by Firestone Command to start engines
10:30 a.m. INDY NXT by Firestone Detroit Grand Prix (45 Laps/55 minutes), Peacock (U.S.)/INDYCAR LIVE (Most international markets)
Noon USA Network on air
12:38 p.m. Command to start engines
12:45 p.m. Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear (100 laps/164.5 miles), USA Network (live)
Header Image ByPaul Hurley/INDYCAR
IndyCar1909.com 