Speedway, IN (93.7 The Fan) - Felix Rosenqvist is on the pole position for Saturday's IndyCar Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Rosenqvist's lap of 1:08.2785 (128.597 mph) around the 2.439-mile, 14-turn road course in the No. 10 NTT Data Chip Ganassi Racing Honda edged teammate Scott Dixon and the No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda by 0.0194-seconds to grab the top spot.
"The NTT Honda car has been amazing," said Rosenqvist, 27, a native of Sweeden. "The first two laps I didn't really feel like I had grip and then the final lap there was just something switching on and I was like 'OK, this could be good'. It is so tight, and I looked up at the screen and we were P1 and I just prayed it was going to hold but, yeah, fantastic day."
Dixon, the 5-time and defending series Champion, was happy for his teammate and appreciates the teamwork to get both Ganassi cars up front.
"It's nice to work someone that has a very similar feel (for the car) and (driving) likeness," said Dixon. "I think all weekend it's just been kind of who pieced a lap together a little bit better. I think the start of my first lap was really good and I didn't do well in the second half, and then on the second lap I kind of messed up Turn 2. I'm looking forward to a strong race tomorrow with the PNC Bank car."
Jack Harvey will start third in the Meyer Shank Racing Honda after a lap of 1:08.3238-seconds, followed by Colton Herta's best lap of 1:08.3743-seconds. Ed Jones rounds out the top 5 with a lap of 1:08.4609-seconds.
"I was so focused on trying to get a good lap in that I didn't even know we had gone P1 there for a second," said Harvey. "This gives us confidence and what we are doing is headed in the right direction."
"The GESS International car was great today, it had really great balance," said Herta. "I look forward to having a great race tomorrow for the IndyCar Grand Prix."
Defending race winner Will Power will start sixth following a best lap of 1:08.7901-seconds as the entire Fast Six was separated by a mere 0.5116-seconds.
"The lap I did to get in the Fast Six was a great lap at just right time on the tires," said Power about the three-round, knockout-style qualifying. "But man, I wasn't even close in the final session and I was killing myself out there for position six. But that is what we are dealing with now. It is so competitive out there and if you are a little bit out of the window, you are going to struggle."
The green flag drops on the INDYCAR Grand Prix at 3:40 p.m. ET but rain is in the forecast and very well may be a factor in the race which will be televised by NBC beginning at 3 p.m. and can be heard on the IndyCar Radio Network affiliates.
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