By: Spencer Neff
May 3, 2025
Continuing a hot start to 2025, Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou earned his first NTT P1 Award of the season on Saturday.
After posting a best lap of 1m07.2918 (123.046 mph) on the 2.3-mile, 17-turn Barber Motorsports Park, Palou earned his seventh career pole and starts tomorrow’s 90-lap Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix from the front of the 27-car field as looks to extend his point lead.
Prior to his effort today, his best start was second in 2023. The Spaniard won his first INDYCAR race at Barber in 2021.
Round 3-Fast Six
Palou bested Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin by .1469 of a second in the final round of qualifying. McLaughlin, who started on pole at Barber last year, looks for a third consecutive win at the permanent road course.
Andretti Global’s Colton Herta earned his best effort at Barber and starts third alongside 2010 and 2011 Barber winner Will Power of Team Penske, who earned his best start of 2025.
2022 pole winner Rinus VeeKay capped off his best qualifying of 2025 with a fifth-place effort for Dale Coyne Racing. Arrow McLaren’s Nolan Siegel earned his first appearance in the Fast Six as he makes his INDYCAR debut at Barber tomorrow.
Round 2-Fast 12
Power (1m07.2343-123.151 mph) led the 12-car group and would advance to the Fast Six. Along with him were Palou, Herta, McLaughlin, VeeKay and Siegel.
On the outside looking in following the session were Christian Lundgaard, Pato O”Ward, Josef Newgarden, Kyffin Simpson, Marcus Armstrong and Louis Foster. They will start seventh through 12th.
Simpson and Foster will have their best career starting positions.
Round 1-Group 2
Herta (1m07.2725-123.081 mph) was fastest in Group 2, advancing with Newgarden, Lundgaard, Simpson, VeeKay and Foster.
Missing out would be Felix Rosenqvist, Callum Ilott, Kyle Kirkwood, David Malukas, Sting Ray Robb, Robert Shwartzman, Scott Dixon and Devlin DeFrancesco.
DeFrancesco starts 27th on the grid.. The other seven drivers will line up on the outside of Rows 7-13.
Round 1-Group 1
Palou (1m07.1674-123.274 mph) led the 13 cars in Group 1, advancing with McLaughlin, Armstrong, O’Ward, Siegel and Power.
Falling short were Santino Ferrucci, Alexander Rossi, Christian Rasmussen, Conor Daly, Graham Rahal, Marcus Ericsson and Jacob Abel. They will start on the inside of Rows 7-13.
Up Next
Here is the race day schedule for tomorrow at Barber Motorsports Park. Stay with IndyCar1909 and our social media platforms for the latest on the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.
At-track schedule (All Times Local/Central Time):
Sunday, May 4
9:02-9:27 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES warmup, FS1 (Live)
10:30 a.m. – FS1 on air
10:31 a.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Alabama “Drivers, start your engines”
10:36 a.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Alabama (35 laps/55 minutes), FS1 (Live)
12:30 p.m. – FOX on air
12:40 p.m. – Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix “Drivers, start your engines”
12:47 p.m. – Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix (90 laps / 207 miles), FOX (Live)
Header Image By Chris Owens/INDYCAR
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