INDYCAR QUALIFYING REPORT: Bommarito Automotive Group 500
Qualifying Results
| Bommarito Automotive Group 500 |
| Will Power | P21 |
| Kyle Kirkwood | P3 |
| Marcus Ericsson | P12 |
Qualifying Notes
- The NTT INDYCAR SERIES kicked off the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 race weekend today at World Wide Technology Raceway with a full day of on-track activity including two practice sessions and qualifying on the 1.25-mile oval.
- The field took on two-lap, single-car qualifying this afternoon, with each driver going out in reverse championship standings order. Starting positions were set by the average speed of each driver’s two recorded laps.
- Kyle Kirkwood led Andretti INDYCAR in qualifying starting third for tomorrow night’s 260-lap race. Marcus Ericsson will take the green from 12th, while Will Power will line up 21st.
- Drivers will take on World Wide Technology Raceway tomorrow night with live primetime coverage beginning at 9 PM ET on FOX.
Will Power
No. 26 TWG AI Honda
P21
| 4-Lap Average | 169.670 MPH |
- Will Power was first to qualify for Andretti INDYCAR this afternoon, but understeer during his run on the resulted in a 21st-place starting position for tomorrow’s race.
- With one victory, three podium finishes and 450 laps led on the St. Louis oval, Power will look to capture his first oval victory since Iowa Race 2 (2024) tomorrow night.
“I think we got the most out of the car in qualifying. We had quite a bit of understeer, and the changing track conditions made it tricky to find the limit, but that’s something everyone was dealing with. We’ll keep working on it and see what we can do in the race tomorrow.”
Kyle Kirkwood
No. 27 Sam’s Club Honda
P3
| 4-Lap Average | 173.206 MPH |
- After posting the ninth-fastest time in Practice 1, defending race winner Kyle Kirkwood was the last of the Andretti INDYCAR lineup to make his qualifying attempt this afternoon.
- Kirkwood sat on the front row until Alex Palou’s final qualifying run bumped the No. 27 Sam’s Club Honda to third. Today’s result marked the Florida driver’s best start at World Wide Technology Raceway and second-best oval qualifying result.
- Coming off a runner-up finish at Phoenix earlier this season, Kirkwood will look to secure his second consecutive victory in St. Louis.
“It was a good run for us. P3 is a really good starting spot around here and we can definitely do some great things from there. Last year, we won from 10th, so it’s nice to be up front after qualifying. I’m excited to get into this night race and see what we can do tomorrow with the Sam’s Club crew.”
Marcus Ericsson
No. 28 Delaware Life Honda
P12
| 4-Lap Average | 171.384 MPH |
- Following a top-five result in Practice 1, Marcus Ericsson qualified at World Wide Technology Raceway for the ninth time.
- Ericsson’s two-lap average initially put the No. 28 Delaware Life Honda third on the leaderboard before the rest of the field completed its qualifying attempts. The Swede will roll off 12th for the 260-lap race.
- Making his 41st career INDYCAR oval start tomorrow night, Ericsson will look to capture his second career oval win.
“I thought the car felt good in qualifying and we had good power as well. We were a bit off on balance, so I adjusted my tools and driving, and that was pretty decent. There was probably a bit more in it, but overall it was a decent run. It looks like there should be some overtaking opportunities tomorrow night. So, I’m looking forward to the race with the No. 28 Delaware Life Honda crew.”
Ron Ruzewski
INDYCAR Team Principal
“It was a decent day overall. Great job by the No. 27 crew. They came up just a little short, but it shows the progress we’ve made with our short-oval program earlier this year which was great to see. Unfortunately, we missed the balance a little bit on No. 26 and No. 28, but it’s great to have one more practice session to prepare for the race. I think we’ll have three solid race cars tomorrow.”
