Josef Newgarden claimed the pole position for today’s Synk 275 powered by Sukup at Iowa Speedway, while Alex Palou secured the top starting spot for Sunday’s Farm to Finish 275 powered by Sukup. Newgarden, driving for Team Penske, recorded a qualifying lap speed of 183.999 mph, and Palou, the current NTT INDYCAR SERIES points leader with Chip Ganassi Racing, posted a slightly faster session-best lap of 184.014 mph to earn Sunday’s pole. This weekend marks the Sukup INDYCAR Race Weekend at the .894-mile oval in Iowa.
Qualifying Format and Starting Grid Details
The qualifying session featured two-lap runs, with the first lap setting the grid for Race 1 and the second lap determining the starting order for Race 2 on Sunday. Interestingly, Newgarden and Palou will both start fourth in the race where they are not starting on pole. Conor Daly of Juncos Hollinger Racing will join Newgarden on the front row for today’s race, while Felix Rosenqvist, driving for Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian, will line up next to Palou for the Sunday event.
Career Milestones and Season Performances
This pole is Newgarden’s first of the season and the 19th of his career, tying him with Danny Sullivan for 16th place on the all-time INDYCAR pole winners list. Palou earned his fourth pole of the year and the 10th of his career, becoming the 42nd driver to reach double-digit poles in the series. His previous poles this season occurred at Barber Motorsports Park, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, and last weekend at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Currently leading the championship with six wins, Palou holds a 113-point advantage over Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood, bolstered by the pole position points earned in Iowa qualifying.
Notable Drivers and Race Conditions This Weekend
Scott McLaughlin, who won last year’s races at Iowa, will start at the back of the field for both races this weekend after a crash on his first lap in Turn 1 during qualifying. McLaughlin was uninjured in the incident. Will Power, another previous Iowa winner, is also competing this weekend. Today’s race is the 11th event of the season, scheduled for 5 p.m. ET and broadcast on FOX, the FOX Sports app, and INDYCAR Radio Network, with Sunday’s race starting at 1 p.m. on the same platforms.
Implications for the Championship and Upcoming Races
Newgarden’s pole at Iowa Speedway adds momentum as the season progresses, while Palou’s continued strong performances maintain his lead in the championship standings. The two races this weekend will be crucial in shaping the points battle, with both drivers positioned well to contend for victories and valuable points. Fans can expect a competitive weekend as top contenders and familiar faces aim to capitalize on their starting positions at this key short oval event.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is Josef Newgarden in the last row?
A. Josef Newgarden could not win his third Indianapolis 500 in a row due to a fuel pressure problem, ending the race in xxth place. He began from the last row because of a qualifying penalty but managed to move up to 6th before the issue occurred.
Q. How much did Josef Newgarden make for winning the Indy 500?
A. Josef Newgarden, who won the Indy 500 last year, earned $4.288 million from the $18.456 million prize pool. He also received a $440,000 bonus from BorgWarner for winning again.