Alex Palou claimed pole position at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca by posting a remarkable lap time of 1:08.3413 seconds during qualifying on Saturday, July 26, 2025. The Spaniard’s performance extended his dominance in the NTT IndyCar Series, marking his fifth pole of the season and the 11th of his career, firmly establishing him as the front-runner ahead of Sunday’s race.
Palou’s achievement at Laguna Seca builds on his momentum, having secured his second consecutive pole at this track, which also served as a prelude to his second victory there last year. His nearest competitor, Pato O’Ward, who won the previous round, trailed by 0.2867 seconds but recorded his best qualifying spot at Laguna Seca, intensifying the championship battle between the two drivers.
Highlights from the Fastest Six Qualifying Group
Colton Herta emerged as the top performer among the Andretti Global Honda drivers by advancing to the Firestone Fast 6 and securing the third starting position. He will line up alongside Josef Newgarden in the second row, with Newgarden achieving Team Penske’s best qualifying result on a non-oval track this season.
Will Power of Team Penske was the only other driver with multiple representatives in the Fast Six, starting fifth. David Malukas, driving the No. 4 AJ Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet, completed the top six, showcasing strong Chevrolet presence despite intense competition.
Key Moments in Round 2 Qualifying
Felix Rosenqvist’s promising run in round two was interrupted when he spun at turn five, triggering a local yellow flag that necessitated deletion of his lap time while Christian Rasmussen was completing a flying lap. This incident ultimately worked to Team Penske’s advantage by helping both Will Power and Josef Newgarden secure spots in the Firestone Fast 6.
Qualifying Drama in First Round Group 1
Scott McLaughlin attempted a soft-soft tire strategy for his sole qualifying run but was edged out by Christian Rasmussen, who delivered an impressive lap to eliminate McLaughlin from advancing. Marcus Ericsson struggled due to limited practice time earlier in the day, settling for a 15th-place start. The surprising exit of Scott Dixon, the defending Laguna Seca winner from 2023, in this round added further unpredictability to the grid.
Challenges Faced in First Round Group 2
Kyle Kirkwood lost traction in the challenging Corkscrew section during his hot lap, which compromised his time and prevented progression to the next round. He also cited traffic on the course as a factor affecting his performance. Returning from a hand injury sustained last weekend in Toronto, Santino Ferrucci qualified 20th driving for AJ Foyt Enterprises. Meanwhile, Devlin DeFrancesco’s spin denied him a competitive lap, consigning him to start last among the 27-car field.
Anticipation Builds Ahead of the Grand Prix of Monterey
The Java House Grand Prix of Monterey will begin on Sunday, July 27 at 3 p.m. ET, with live coverage provided by FOX. As the championship intensifies, Palou’s strong qualifying result places him as the favorite to extend his points lead, while others like O’Ward, Herta, and Newgarden prepare to challenge on the demanding Laguna Seca circuit.
With Palou showcasing consistent superiority, the race is expected to highlight strategic battles and skillful driving from top contenders seeking to close the gap and influence the season standings. The outcome at Laguna Seca could critically shape the championship trajectory as the series progresses.