McLaughlin Captures NTT P1 Award for St. Pete INDYCAR Opener

Scott McLaughlin navigating the streets of St. Petersburg in route to his first pole of the season (Photo: Donald Jenney | The Podium Finish).

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – After a forgettable 2025 NTT IndyCar Series season for Team Penske, Scott McLaughlin kicked things off on the right foot in 2026 by winning the NTT P1 Award for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg with a lap of 1:00.5426 in the No. 3 DEX Chevrolet for Team Penske.

The 32-year-old Kiwi native earned his third St. Petersburg pole in the last five years, including back-to-back and the 12^th of his career.

“Raul (Prados), my new engineer gave me a great car,” McLaughlin said. “But we have a lot of experience here with a great car, as well. Just really pumped. Everybody knows the slog we went through last year, so to start on this note is fantastic.”

Joining McLaughlin on the front row is 2022 Indianapolis 500 winner Marcus Ericsson after his quick time of 1:00.5621 in the No. 28 Delaware Life Honda of Andretti Global. Ericsson is looking for a rebound year as well, after an abysmal 2025 campaign that he’s looking to put in the rear-view mirror.

“Yeah, great way to start,” Ericsson said. “It’s no secret, last year was super disappointing and frustrating and not the way I want to be or we want to be, so worked extremely hard over the winter to come back and be strong and be on the level we should be at. All weekend it’s been strong, but to go out in qualifying and do that through all the segments and put it on the front row feels really, really good.”

Drive of the day undoubtedly goes to Dale Coyne Racing rookie Dennis Hauger, with a lap of 1:00.5743 in the No. 19 Ault Block Chain Honda to start third.

“Wasn’t really expecting that to be honest,” said Hauger. “It was super nice in qualifying and got some experience on the red (alternate) tires and we were pretty quick. Good start”

Defending and four-time NTT IndyCar Series champion Alex Palou will look to go back-to-back at St. Petersburg from the fourth starting position after his lap of 1:00.6842 in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.

David Malukas attacks the streets of St. Petersburg during practice for the Firestone GP (Photo: Donald Jenney | The Podium Finish).

After taking over for two-time series champion Will Power, Chicago, Illinois native David Malukas was the second Team Penske driver in the Fast Six and set a lap of 1:00.7638 in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet.

Romain Grosjean rounds out the Firestone Fast Six, making his comeback to the NTT IndyCar Series in the No. 18 BMax Dale Coyne Racing Honda.

Saturday’s qualifying saw a number of heavy-hitting favorites failing to make the round of six, including last year’s runner-up in the standings, Pato O’Ward. He will roll off eighth in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet.

Six-time series champion Scott Dixon and two-time series champion Josef Newgarden both had their own struggles and failed to make it past round one. Dixon will start from the 16^th position in the No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda and Newgarden will roll off 23^rd of the 25-car field in the No. 2 Astemo Team Penske Chevrolet.

The green flag for the 100-lap Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is set for noon ET on FOX, FOX Sports App, and IndyCar Nation SiriusXM Radio Ch. 218

Starting Lineup: