All smiles from Christian Lundgaard after winning pole at Indianapolis. (Photo: Wayne Riegle | The Podium Finish)
SPEEDWAY, Ind. – Qualifying on pole by the narrowest of margins is one thing Christian Lundgaard has been able to do between his last major pole in racing to his maiden INDYCAR pole Friday.
On a session that Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing put all three cars in the top-eight, Lundgaard once again showcased his worth and growth at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course.
When the dust settled, it was the young driver who will lead the 27-car field to green for Saturday’s GMR Grand Prix, his first career NTT P1 Pole Award. He did so by besting Felix Rosenqvist by 0.0027 seconds, the fourth tightest margin since the implementation of the Firestone Fast Six.
Lundgaard’s last pole was at Mugello in Formula 2 where he narrowly outpaced Dan Ticktum three years ago.
“It feels awesome getting my first NTT P1 award, but with that said, Jack is P4 and Graham is P8. That is the best qualifying we’ve had in those two years that we’ve been teammates,” said Lungard.
Rosenqvist was happy to be starting alongside Lundgaard, but a slip-up cost him a shot of scoring a pole at IMS.
“I thought I had a mega lap going and I kind of messed it up a bit in Turn 9,” said Rosenqvist. “I was just going for make or break, and didn’t make. Three thousandths, that’s always tough, but honestly I’m super happy to be P2.
“This is a track where, as Christian said, I think a lot of European drivers have excelled, and I’ve had two poles here previously and almost three now, so maybe try starting on P2 instead and see how that goes.”
Perhaps the grand jubilation out of Lundgaard was being able to be solidly consistent all day as proven by being second fastest in both practice sessions. When it was go time, it was indeed go time for entire No. 45 Hy-Vee Honda squad to where anything but a race win will be a huge disappointment.
That first INDYCAR pole feeling from Lundgaard. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)
For now, the perks of winning pole brought much needed positive vibes on the entire organization that’s endured some struggles. In a season where RLL Racing opened their new shop, results have been hard to come by. Following qualifying, the hard work is finally paying off.
“I think it shows the progress that we’re on,” said Lundgaard. “It’s taken a little longer than we would have liked, but now we’ve got to finish it off tomorrow, but I’m just super happy for the team.
“My podium here last year, it was a big relief for me and the team. I knew my ability to be able to finish on the podium. I know what I’m capable of. But to deliver it to the team is what meant the most to me, and this, too. Everyone works so hard. We built a new facility. It hasn’t paid off until now, so we’re going to keep digging deep.”
Although this season marks his first year piloting the No. 45 machine full-time after driving the No. 30 last year, little has changed in terms of those surrounding him with on the organization.
Lundgaard noted it is the same pit crew from last year and if there were any takeaways from the change, perhaps the car number of his INDYCAR debut in 2021 was all he needed to finally score a pole at IMS.
“The only thing that really changed was the livery and the number of the car and the title sponsor. That was pretty much the only thing that changed. In that regard, it’s the same crew, it’s the same — I actually think it’s the same car as last year,” said Lundgaard.
“Anyway, for me, my response to the call of the change was, well, it’s a race car. I mean, if it’s got one number or another, it doesn’t really make a difference to me. I did my debut in the 45 car here, so to be back in it, apparently that’s the car I need to drive here.”
A day where RLL Racing saw tremendous progress, the same cannot be said with Team Penske. None of their cars made the Firestone Fast Six.
A visibly distraught McLaughlin after not advancing into Round 2 of qualifying. (Photo: Wayne Riegle | The Podium Finish)
Scott McLaughlin exited out of his car in disgust after not making it out of his group while Josef Newgarden’s bid of moving onto Round 2 saw a roadblock.
In the closing minutes of the opening round for Group 1, Newgarden had to woah his No. 2 Snap-On Chevrolet down after Benjamin Pedersen spun around in turn 12.
“With Benjamin spinning, I basically started the lap and I couldn’t go quicker,” said Newgarden, who’ll roll off 13th.
“I pitted because I couldn’t go do anything. It’s not anybody’s fault because you can’t predict someone is gonna cause a yellow. I was in the wrong place in the wrong time and it’s just bad timing.”
Now that qualifying is in the books, the mind of all drivers shifts to the 85-lap event as live coverage of the GMR Grand Prix begins at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC. Defending race winner Colton Herta will roll off 14th, the very same starting spot he won from a year ago.
2023 GMR Grand Prix Starting Lineup
- 45 – Christian Lundgaard
- 6 – Felix Rosenqvist
- 10 – Alex Palou
- 30 – Jack Harvey
- 5 – Pato O’Ward
- 27 – Kyle Kirkwood
- 8 – Marcus Ericsson
- 15 – Graham Rahal
- 9 – Scott Dixon
- 7 – Alexander Rossi
- 11 – Marcus Armstrong (R)
- 12 – Will Power
- 2- Josef Newgarden
- 26 – Colton Herta
- 29 – Devlin DeFrancesco
- 3 – Scott McLaughlin
- 21 – Rinus VeeKay
- 28 – Romain Grosjean
- 60 – Simon Pagenaud
- 18 – David Malukas
- 20 – Conor Daly
- 51 – Sting Ray Robb (R)
- 55 – Benjamin Pedersen (R)
- 77 – Callum Ilott
- 78 – Agustin Canapino (R)
- 06 – Helio Castroneves
- 14 – Santino Ferrucci
