SCOTT McLaughlin is set to line up from position nine for the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500.
The 2024 Indy 500 pole sitter was fourth fastest in the initial all-in qualifying session, progressing to the Top 12.
His second four-lap run of the day started promisingly enough, running a staggering 242mph into turn three on the opening lap before losing ground.
His time was the sixth fastest of the nine runners to that point, but he was instantly bumped out of the fast six by Connor Daly, who nailed home a massive final lap to pip the Kiwi.
“The Pennzoil Chevy was just a little bit more front,” McLaughlin said.
“I was really battling into the three most laps, so I was trying to play with the tools and weight jacker and front bar and all that sort of stuff to get it to turn, but it just wouldn’t turn there, so I sort of put the white flag up and sort of just did what I could, and sometimes you just gotta do that.”
McLaughlin, though, can take solace from the fact that he has been quick throughout the week to date, including on Fast Friday, when he posted the third-fastest overall time and the quickest speed without the assistance of a tow.
Additionally, it is proving to be a much more straightforward event for the former Supercars champion than last year, when he crashed heavily in the preliminaries before spinning out on the warm-up lap of the race.
The six cars progressing to the fast 6 shootout were Felix Rosenqvist, Alex Palou, David Malukas, Santino Ferrucci, Pato O’Ward and Alex Rossi.
Ultimately, Palou won his second Indy pole, ahead of Rossi, Malukas, Rosenqvist, Ferrucci and O’Ward.
Prior to the top-12 shootout, Will Power locked in the 20th starting slot for race day, with Katherine Legge 27th – the Brit is set to take on the Indy 500-NASCAR Charlotte 600 double-header.
Helio Castroneves will start 15th as he seeks his fifth Indy crown, Josef Newgarden from 24th, and Mich Schumacher from 28th.
It proved to be a quick day on track, with Monster Jam’s Power Rush setting a new benchmark world speed record for Monster Trucks, with a speed of 165km/h!
Tomorrow will feature a further day of open practice, followed by Friday’s Carb Day practice, the annual pit stop competition, and the all-important Oscar Mayer Wienie 500.
The race is set to start at 2:30am AEST next Monday.
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