Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon in the No.9 PNC Bank Honda starts the PPG 375 at Texas Motor Speedway from second place on the grid. The Iceman is the most successful active driver on the grid at Texas, having scored five victories here. Dixon starts the race just behind his former teammate Felix Rosenqvist.
Speaking following qualifying, Dixon, who ended the final practice session ahead of Sunday’s race in P1 commented saying:
“I think it was a pretty good day for all of the Ganassi cars. We ran a bit simpler configurations, too, as you’ve got to do your qualifying simulations and your race runs in the same session at some of these ovals. Today was pretty straightforward and it was nice to get some high line practice in, as well. We would have liked to have gone one spot better in qualifying, but it’s nice to start on the front row.”
Takuma Sato in the No.11 Niterra Honda ended the final practice session in third place and starts the race from sixth place and speaking following the days action he commented saying:
“It was my very first taste of racing with Chip Ganassi Racing today. It was a very good practice this morning and then, the qualifying was just a little bit different. Obviously, the temperatures changed with different levels of downforce. I think we did a solid run and P6 in the end was a happy place. I wish we had the balance a bit more correct on my outing, but it helped my teammates on their runs. The team did a super job and hopefully, we will have a good set-up on race day and have a good day on Sunday.”
Alex PAlou in the No.10 The American Legion Honda, starts the race from P7, having ended the final practice session in P9 and speaking following the action he commented saying:
“I’m pretty happy with our run, to be honest. We’re starting P7 tomorrow, which is quite good. I’m super happy with the car and am starting to feel more comfortable than last year and getting more experience on the ovals. Hopefully, we can have a great race tomorrow for the No. 10 American Legion car.”
Marcus Ericsson in the No.8 Huski Chocolate Honda goes into the race as the championship leader but starts the event from P19 and rounds out the top ten in the final practice session ahead of the race. Speaking following the action, he commented saying:
“It’s been a good day for the most part. Unfortunately, our qualifying run was pretty disappointing. We need to analyze things and see why we were much slower than our teammates there. But in the second practice this afternoon, the car felt really good and we were making moves, overtaking people and that’s what we need to do tomorrow. I’m looking forward to the race.”