Alex Palou claims fifth IndyCar pole of 2025 at Laguna Seca

July 26, 2025

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Alex Palou’s back in charge after qualifying at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

The points leader laid down a 1:07.3413s lap to claim the pole for Sunday’s Java House Grand Prix of Monterey. It’s the Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) star’s fifth pole of the year and fourth on a road course, positioning Palou to add to his hefty championship advantage.

Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing

Photo by: Penske Entertainment

“It felt amazing,” Palou said of his run. “Honestly, the car has been amazing. Yesterday (in) practice one and today. All practice sessions I felt like we had a ton of pace, like all year. Everyone at CGR has been doing a tremendous job, making me look good on track.

“It feels great to be on pole here. I can’t wait for tomorrow.”

Patricio O’ward, Arrow McLaren

Photo by: Penske Entertainment

The driver trying to chase Palou down, Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward, followed in second, .2867s slower on the same tires. It was the Mexican’s first front row qualifying effort since his pole at The Thermal Club in April. “My best starting position here,” he said. “We’ll take that.”

Colton Herta took third, with Josef Newgarden, Will Power and David Malukas wrapping up the Fast 6. Newgarden made his first appearance in the final round of qualifying on a road course since May’s Sonsio Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

He briefly went off-course in the final seconds, but Palou ultimately set quick time in the Fast 12. Herta, O’Ward, Malukas, Newgarden and Power also snuck through, leaving Christian Lundgaard, Graham Rahal, Louis Foster, Marcus Armstrong, Christian Rasmussen and Felix Rosenqvist to complete the top-12.

Rosenqvist was on time to advance in his colorful Grateful Dead livery, but the Swede wound up off-track in turn 5 on his last lap and impeded the run of Rasmussen, leading to his top time being deleted.

“I just spun in turn 5, went in a little hard and I couldn’t save it,” Rosenqvist said of the accident.

“Unfortunate, (but) it is what it is. My bad.”

Full Qualifying report

Josef Newgarden, Team Penske

Photo by: Penske Entertainment

Palou led the opening group session, advancing to the Fast 12 alongside Rosenqvist, Rasmussen, Lundgaard, Herta and Newgarden. Scott McLaughlin, Marcus Ericsson, Rinus VeeKay and Scott Dixon were the first ones to miss out on advancement, with McLaughlin knocked out after the checkered flag flew by a last-ditch effort from Rasmussen.

Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti Global

Photo by: Penske Entertainment

The second group session proved eventful, with Devlin DeFrancesco spinning in Laguna Seca’s iconic Corkscrew section while Armstrong bounced through it and Kyle Kirkwood put two wheels off-course elsewhere. O’Ward ultimately led the session, advancing alongside Armstrong, Malukas, Power, Foster and Rahal. Kyffin Simpson, Nolan Siegel, Kirkwood and Santino Ferrucci were among those left on the outside looking in.

Qualifying was the first time the IndyCar field made it onto the racing surface on Saturday. A planned morning practice session was delayed and ultimately cancelled as lingering moisture kept the track’s medical helicopter grounded, posing a safety risk should any accidents occur.

Due to concerns over similar issues on Sunday morning, the pre-race warmup will be held at 7 p.m. ET this evening on FS2. The Java House Grand Prix of Monterey will go live Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on FOX.