Santino Ferrucci made history at the Grand Prix of Portland by securing his first-ever pole position in the IndyCar Series. The 26-year-old driver, originally from Connecticut but now residing in Dallas, Texas, delivered a stellar performance behind the wheel of the No. 14 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet. Ferrucci clocked a quick lap of 58.2046s at the 12-turn, 1.964-mile Portland International Raceway, showcasing his talent and determination.
Ferrucci’s pole position marked a significant milestone not only for himself but also for AJ Foyt Racing. The team had not claimed a pole position since the second race of the doubleheader at Belle Isle in 2014, with Takuma Sato at the helm. Ferrucci’s achievement was a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire team, as he acknowledged in his post-qualifying interview.
Reflecting on his performance, Ferrucci expressed his gratitude for the team’s efforts throughout the season. He emphasized the progress they had made and the speed they had demonstrated at various points in the year. Securing pole position was a validation of their hard work and a proud moment for Ferrucci, who admitted that he was not typically known for his qualifying prowess.
The Fast Six qualifying session saw intense competition among the top drivers, with Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing setting the early benchmark. However, it was Ferrucci’s flying lap in the final moments of the session that catapulted him to the top spot, edging out his rivals to claim pole position. Despite the best efforts of seasoned drivers like Will Power and Graham Rahal, Ferrucci’s ultimate lap time proved unbeatable, securing him the coveted pole position.
In the Top 12 qualifying segment, Power demonstrated his speed by setting a blistering lap time that put him at the top of the standings. However, Ferrucci and the other drivers in the field were not far behind, showcasing the depth of talent in the IndyCar Series. With fierce competition and close margins separating the top contenders, the stage was set for an exciting race day at Portland International Raceway.
The Group Stage qualifying sessions provided further drama and excitement as drivers vied for a spot in the Fast Six shootout. In Group 1, Christian Lundgaard emerged as the top performer, securing a late run to claim the pole position. The battle for the remaining transfer spots was intense, with drivers like Colton Herta, Santino Ferrucci, and Graham Rahal showcasing their skills to advance to the next round.
Meanwhile, in Group 2, Alex Palou maintained his dominance at the top of the leaderboard, setting the pace for the session. The competition was fierce, with drivers like Marcus Armstrong, Romain Grosjean, and Josef Newgarden jostling for position behind Palou. As the final spots in the Fast Six shootout were determined, the intensity of the qualifying session reached its peak, setting the stage for a thrilling race at Portland.
As the dust settled on qualifying day at Portland International Raceway, Santino Ferrucci emerged as the surprise pole sitter, showcasing his talent and determination on the track. With a mix of seasoned veterans and up-and-coming stars in the field, the Grand Prix of Portland promised to deliver high-octane action and fierce competition. As fans eagerly anticipated race day, all eyes were on Ferrucci and the other drivers as they prepared to battle for victory on the challenging road course.