Pato O’Ward is off to a better start with his Toronto efforts with a third place qualifying effort. (Photo: Jack Shanlin | The Podium Finish)
TORONTO – Unlike a majority of the NTT INDYCAR Series field, Pato O’Ward does not have a bevy of experience when it comes to racing at Exhibition Place.
In fact, he only has one start in which he qualified 15th and placed 11th in last year’s Honda Indy Toronto. Undoubtedly, it was not a performance reflective of the norm for O’Ward and the Arrow McLaren INDYCAR Team.
Heading into the 10th round of the 2023 season, O’Ward is faring far better than last year. Despite the big goose egg in the win column, the 24-year-old Monterey, Mexico native has four podiums, matching his season total from a year ago. Likewise, he has led 154 laps, just 11 laps from tying his season total from a year ago.
Prior to taking on the 1.786-mile (2.874-km), 11-turn street course, O’Ward considered the ambiance of the series’ only race in Canada.
“We’re back to street racing, so I expect it to be a fight just like every other street course that we go to,” O’Ward said in a Team Chevy press release. “Anything can happen. I always look forward to going to Toronto. It’s a nice city with a great atmosphere, and we have awesome Canadian fans.”
Once the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Dallara Chevrolet was unloaded from its hauler, O’Ward posted the eighth quickest time in Friday’s opening practice session. Despite a workable opening stint, he expressed a tangible concern.
It has not been a straightforward weekend for O’Ward and his competitors at Exhibition Place. (Photo: Jack Shanlin | The Podium Finish)
“We had a good start here in Toronto,” he said. “It was a very messy session for us, but I was able to get a good read on what the car was doing pretty much all around the lap. We just never had a lap when the tire was at its optimal. We’ll see what we’ve got.”
With different conditions for Saturday’s second practice session, O’Ward improved to the fifth quickest effort, about 0.14 seconds off Colton Herta’s fastest overall time. By far, the sixth year racer had to keep his wits about him with rain changing the track’s condition and grip.
While a heavy hitter in Alex Palou qualifying in 15th, O’Ward balanced a delicate tightrope between raw, sheer pace versus cautiousness. Advancing to the Firestone Fast Six, the Mexican racer qualified third, boosting his average starting spot from 7.1 to 6.7.
As the track evolved, O’Ward was more confident with dropping the hammer while being careful with the slick spots.
“That was a gnarly session,” he said. “That kept me on my toes every single lap. Obviously, it was a drying race track, and it just kept getting better and better.
“The No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet was feeling good. It was all about having confidence in it and really attacking some of the corners that you didn’t quite know what they had in store.”
A bit of bravery and faith paid off for the title contender as he looks to close the tremendous gap established by Palou. Entering Sunday’s race ranked fifth in the championship standings and 127 points behind the 2021 NTT INDYCAR Series champion, O’Ward knows there is no holding back at this juncture from Toronto to Laguna Seca.
While it has been 12 years since a third place starter won at Toronto, O’Ward looks to change that trend. (Photo: Jack Shanlin | The Podium Finish)
Unlike the series’ most recent round at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, O’Ward will not have to charge his way from the 25th position. This time, he has track position and a car that may be in the mix against Christian Lundgaard and Scott McLaughlin, the race’s front row starters.
A win may go a long ways with bringing O’Ward closer to the championship chase against Palou, Scott Dixon, Josef Newgarden and Marcus Ercisson. With drier conditions anticipated for the 85-lap race in Toronto, O’Ward is not thinking about salvaging a strong points finish.
“We just kept on pushing, and it’s a second-row start for the team,” O’Ward said. “It’s a great starting position to challenge for the podium and the win.”
