25 drivers of the NTT IndyCar Series took to the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida on Sunday afternoon to complete the first knockout qualifying session of the 2026 season.

Scott McLaughlin took his second consecutive pole to start the season, completing a lap in 60.5436 seconds in what he described as one of the best cars he has ever had.

Marcus Ericsson was second quick, with rookie Dennis Hauger surprising with a third place run as he headed up a double Dale Coyne Racing showing in the Firestone Fast Six.

READ MORE: IndyCar St. Petersburg – Full Qualifying Report

Pato O’Ward, a favorite to win the race this weekend, was knocked out in the second round and will line up eighth in his Arrow McLaren Chevy.

Two other perennial favorites Scott Dixon and Josef Newgarden were both knocked out in the first round, and will have to fight from the back half of the grid.

Drivers have one early warm-up session on Sunday morning, ahead of a 100-lap race at noon eastern time.

#DriverTimeGapAvg. Speed (MPH)Round1Scott McLaughlin01:00.5426–107.032Fast Six2Marcus Ericsson01:00.56210.020106.998Fast Six3Dennis Hauger01:00.57430.032106.976Fast Six4Alex Palou01:00.68420.142106.782Fast Six5David Malukas01:00.76380.221106.642Fast Six6Romain Grosjean01:01.34620.804105.630Fast Six7Marcus Armstrong01:00.78200.239106.611Top 128Pato O’Ward01:00.88630.343106.428Top 129Louis Foster01:00.94720.404106.322Top 1210Kyffin Simpson01:00.98110.438106.262Top 1211Felix Rosenqvist01:00.98400.441106.257Top 1212Christian Lundgaard01:00.98420.441106.257Top 1213Will Power01:01.19360.368105.893First Round14Christian Rasmussen01:01.18350.604105.911First Round15Kyle Kirkwood01:01.23080.405105.829First Round16Scott Dixon01:01.21090.631105.863First Round17Santino Ferrucci01:01.26300.437105.773First Round18Graham Rahal01:01.22570.646105.838First Round19Rinus VeeKay01:01.37190.546105.586First Round20Sting Ray Robb01:01.36660.787105.595First Round21Mick Schumacher01:01.39830.573105.540First Round22Nolan Siegel01:01.44980.870105.452First Round23Josef Newgarden01:01.41740.592105.508First Round24Caio Collet01:01.57190.992105.243First Round25Alexander Rossi01:01.60311.023105.190First Round