INDYCAR and NASCAR join forces this weekend at Phoenix Raceway in a historic crossover between the two series. INDYCAR, featuring twenty-five drivers on the weekend entry list, saw the track Friday morning and afternoon ahead of their second race of the season.
David Malukas paced opening practice with a quick time of 20.500 seconds (175.605 mph). Pato O’Ward, Josef Newgarden, Christian Rasmussen, and Will Power rounded out the top five.
Felix Rosenqvist had an on-track moment in practice that damaged his No. 60 Honda, which prevented him from making a qualifying attempt later Friday.
Qualifying was determined via two-lap averages and not fastest single lap, which began just after 2:00 p.m. ET. Mick Schumacher, piloting the No. 47 for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, was first on track, posting a two-lap average of 173.667 mph.
The time held up for quite a while before teammate Graham Rahal went quicker at 173.993 mph.
Malukas, fastest in opening practice, had his turn on the one-mile oval. The Chicago native posted the quickest two-lap average of 175.383 mph to score his first career NTT IndyCar Series pole.
Newgarden sat 0.835 mph behind his teammate to deliver a Team Penske front row.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing teammates Rahal and Schumacher will start third and fourth on the grid.
Team Penske driver Scott McLaughlin rounded out the top five quickest cars.
Alexander Rossi, Pato O’Ward, Rinus VeeKay, Nolan Siegel, and Alex Palou will complete the top ten starters.
Will Power suffered heartbreak as he spun into the outside wall on his second lap of the qualifying session. He was evaluated and released from the care center, and will start 24th as a result.
The Good Ranchers 250 will air live on FOX and IndyCar Radio at 2:00 p.m. ET.