By: Spencer Neff
March 6, 2026
Following up on his fastest lap in this morning’s practice, Team Penske’s David Malukas earned pole for Saturday’s Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona.
After posting a two-lap average of 175.393, Malukas starts at the front of the 25-car field on the 1.022-mile oval. This marks his first pole in his 63rd start in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Malukas started in second on five previous occasions, with the most recent being the 2025 finale at the Nashville Superspeedway.
Teammate and 2018 Phoenix winner Josef Newgarden earned his best Phoenix start, completing an all-Penske front row.
Row 2 features two of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s entries, with Graham Rahal and rookie Mick Schumacher starting third and fourth. Schumacher was the lone rookie in the Top 21. Dale Coyne Racing’s Dennis Hauger and A.J. Foyt Racing’s Caio Collet start 22nd and 23rd.
Scott McLaughlin completes a 1-2-5 effort for Penske. Points leader Alex Palou will start 10th.
Andretti Global’s Will Power crashed on the second lap of his qualifying run, while Meyer Shank Racing’s Felix Rosenqvist was unable to make his attempt following a practice crash. They will start 24th and 25th.
Up Next
Here is the remaining on-track schedule for the weekend at Phoenix Raceway. Stay with IndyCar1909.com for the latest on the Good Ranchers 250 and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES from Phoenix Raceway. IndyCar1909 is on-site and credentialed this weekend at Phoenix Raceway.
At-track schedule (All Times Local/Mountain Time):
Friday, March 6
2:30-3 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Group Session (Two groups, 15 minutes each), FS2
3:10-4 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Final Practice, FS2
Saturday, March 7
12:30 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Driver Introductions
1 p.m. – FOX Sports on air
1:15 p.m. – “Drivers, start your engines.”
1:20 p.m. – Good Ranchers 250 (250 laps / 250 miles), FOX, FOX One, FOX Sports App (Live)
Header Image By Joe Skibinski/INDYCAR
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