Another round of Alex Palou Perfection when he grabs the IndyCar sticks to Barber

A special start to the weekend for the Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing when he earned P1 for the race on Sunday in Barber Motorsports Park-the same route, on which he achieved his first victory in the series in 2021. The difference is now that it is a triple IndyCar series champion and is currently leading the strong goods for the 2025 Championship.

While it looks as if the children of Alabama Indy Grand Prix are set up another lesson about Palous perfection at the weekend, there were some other surprises that come from the qualification meeting at Barber.

First, fight Penske’s team? It is a recurring question on every Indycar weekend from 2025 three stars, Josef Newgarden (#2), Will Power (No. 12) and Scott McLaughlin (No. 3) have not dominated the almost Six this season. However, you may have found part of your foundation at Barber.

Both McLaughlin (who made a few quick six games during the season) reached the last phase of qualification, with McLaughlin on Sunday P2 and Power P4 started in his highest starting position for the 2025 season. In the end, Penske teammate Newgarden did not make it up to the fast six and will take place for the race in P9.

In the meantime, Pato O’Ward (#5) did not miss it in the SIX on Saturday.

“I’m not dissatisfied,” said O’Ward. “Obviously we want to be ahead, but I think it’s all to play tomorrow. The strategy will be important as if it were the last races. It is good to see that all three cars climb into the top 12 and Nolan (seal) in its first flints 6. We can work from here.”

Pato O’Ward, Arrow-McLaren, during the qualification at the Alabama Indy Grand Prix of the children on the right track on Saturday

Photo by: Penske Entertainment – Paul Hurley

Earlier a day, during the second training session, O’Ward experienced a small incident that sent his car into the wall in curve 17. Fortunately, the car came from the corner with only slight damage and was able to walk on its own.

O’Ward starts P8 on Sunday and fills Row 4 together with teammate Christian Lundgaard (#7). But as O’Ward mentioned, the greater surprise of qualifying Nolan Siegel (No. 6) with a P6 result that started directly in front of his teammates, was for the first time in the fast six.

“I think it was just a execution to be honest,” said Siegel. “In the fast six, I think that everything went smoothly. We were calm, collected and made good changes, did not precede ourselves and did everything really well. And that is exactly what it takes. Everyone else is perfect and if they are not perfect, it doesn’t come.”

Another first time in the fast six, although he is only for Barber, is Colton Herta, who will start P3.

However, the most difficult loss from qualifying was that Scott Dixon’s struggle with his car after the loss of the rear and off track, the ruined rap run and qualifying in the first round decreased.

“Frustrating because the car was fast. Round was pretty simple. We were pretty relaxed with the black ones, but our time seemed to be good. I think we had the third or fourth place on the blacks and simply lost the back there, and unfortunately they have no time to recover. So yes, quite frustrating.”

Indycar notes Dixon’s comment and leads a new primary (black) tire connection that is supposed to be a more durable tire, and Firestone said that it will feel like it has lost part of its grip. The drivers noticeably preferred the alternative red tires for qualifying.

You can see how the tire strategy for drivers plays at Alabama Indy Grand Prix at Barber during the children, which will be broadcast on Sunday, May 4th, at 1:30 p.m. Edt on Fox, the Fox Sports app and Indycar Radio Network.

Photos from Barber Motorsports Park – Exercise & Qualifying