Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin in the No.3 Dex Imaging Chevrolet will lead the field to green for the opening race of the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, the Firestone Grand Prix of St Petersburg presented by RP Funding setting a 59.4624s.
McLaughlin is joined on the front row by Andretti Global’s Colton Herta in the No.26 Gainbridge Honda.
McLaughlin said:
Yesterday – with our wreck at the end of the session – was not how we wanted to start the weekend, but there is so much trust amongst everyone on this DEX Imaging Chevy. No one ever dropped their head, and the vibes have been positive the entire time. Track position in a two-stop race is very important so this was a huge pole position, not to mention my 70th for Team Penske. Very proud of that and very proud of our effort today.”
Meyer Shank Racing locked out the second row with Felix Rosenqvist in third and Marcus Armstrong claiming one of his best INDYCAR starts from fourth place with a time of 58.8278s. Speaking following the action he said:
There was more available for us today, but I’m happy to be inside the Top 6 in my first weekend in the No. 66 SiriusXM / Root Insurance Honda. We left a little bit on the table, but it’s okay because we get to fight for it from this position. The alternate tire is extremely soft, it looks like it could be around five laps and you might start thinking about changing them straight away. We will see how it goes, but we will be pushing tomorrow.”
Christian Lundgaard starts from fifth for Arrow McLaren while Scott Dixon was the leading Chip Ganassi Racing driver in sixth in the No.9 PNC Bank Honda with a time of 59.9216s.
Andretti Global’s Marcus Ericsson in the No.28 Bryant Honda starts the race from seventh just ahead of defending champion Alex Palou in the No.10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda with a time of 01:00.036s.
Kyle Kirkwood starts ninth just ahead of Josef Newgarden who rounds out the top ten for Team Penske.
Nolan Siegel is 11th for Arrow McLaren just ahead of Rinus VeeKay who had a great day for Dale Coyne Racing.
Will Power starts 13th just ahead of Devlin DeFrancesco who on his return to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES was the leading Rahal car.
Kyffin Simpson starts 15th just ahead of Louis Foster who makes his debut on Sunday from 16th.
David Malukas starts 17th fir AJ Foyt Racing just ahead of Robert Shwartzman who was extremely impressive for PREMA Racing starting the race from 18th place.
Santino Ferrucci starts 19th for AJ Foyt Racing just ahead of Alexander Rossi and Graham Rahal.
Conor Daly starts 22nd for Juncos just ahead of Pato O’Ward and Christian Rasmussen.
Jacob Abel starts the race from 25th just ahead of