Colton Herta scores his second consecutive pole of the 2023 NTT INDYCAR Series season. (Photo: Logan Skidan | The Podium Finish)
LEXINGTON, Ohio – It is an understatement to say that Colton Herta is determined to return atop the podium in the NTT INDYCAR Series.
In the midst of a 20-race winless spell, the 23-year-old from Valencia, California has shown flashes of brilliance while encountering maddening circumstances. He started from the pole in last year’s Honda Indy Toronto race, leading 17 laps before relegating to a runner-up result.
Likewise, Herta led 17 laps in last year’s Gallagher Grand Prix before retiring due to gear box problems.
This year, it has been a case of strange circumstances or race days in which they have lacked the pace. For starters, he was in position to contend for the season opener at St. Petersburg, Florida before crashing out, placing 20th.
Most recently, he started from the pole in Road America, leading 33 laps before a pit stop a lap prior to Alex Palou, the eventual race winner, resulted in a heartbreaking fifth place finish.
Suffice to say, Herta is ready to return to his form seen in 2020 and 2021 when he was the talk of the next American racer to compete in Formula 1. Despite remaining in INDYCAR, it is still a very competitive series in which the second generation racer has much more to accomplish.
Herta has been knocking on the door for his eighth career NTT INDYCAR Series victory. (Photo: Wayne Riegle | The Podium Finish)
As one of the leading Honda racers in open wheel racing, Herta is not afraid to extend his elbows out on the track with patience and savvy. Much like his father, Bryan, he typically goes on the attack in the closing moments like a shrike stalking for its prey.
So far, it has been a productive weekend at the 2.258-mile, 13-turn FIA Grade 2 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Herta tallied his 11th career pole position and his first at this track since 2020. On that occasion, Herta led 57 laps and earned his third career INDYCAR win.
Notably, Herta led the way for Honda’s sweep of the top six starting positions. In a banner day for the longtime OEM in INDYCAR, Herta was proud of the pace shown in qualifying.
“It was a great day here at Mid-Ohio,” Herts said. “Honda 1-6 and we were fortunate enough to be the first of those Hondas. The Gainbridge car was super-fast and has been fast all weekend. Luckily, we were in the right place at the right time to put the lap down and get the pole.”
Presently, Herta ranks in ninth place in the championship standings and 141 markers behind fellow Honda racer Alex Palou, the series points leader. While there is a saying that there is no time like the present, Herta knows there is no better time to win a race than one at Mid-Ohio for his Andretti Autosport with Curb-Agajanian efforts.
“I’m looking forward to the Honda Indy 200 and hopefully we can wrap up the race and go away with the win,” he said.
If Herta can tally his eighth career win, it may be the catalyst needed to mount a competitive charge for maximum points in the second half of the 2023 NTT INDYCAR Series season.
