INDYCAR QUALIFYING REPORT: Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio

Will Power

No. 26 TWG AI Honda

• After clocking the fastest lap in Practice 1 yesterday and a top-10 finish in Practice 2 this morning, Will Power took to the track in Group 2 for this afternoon’s qualifying session at Mid-Ohio.
• Building on his past qualifying success, including five poles at Mid-Ohio, Power advanced through to the final round of qualifying to earn his 12th Firestone Fast Six appearance at the Ohio road circuit.
• Power used the positive momentum to put down the third-quickest lap in the Fast Six, setting him up for a strong starting position in the second row for tomorrow’s race.

“It was a really good session. I’m glad we got both runs in. The margins were super close, and there was nothing left on the table. I don’t mind starting P3 here. I’m really happy with the TWG AI Honda, and I think we’re in a good position to have a strong day tomorrow.”

Kyle Kirkwood

No. 27 Sam’s Club Honda

• Following two strong practice sessions that saw him finish second yesterday and at the top of the scoring pylon this morning, Kyle Kirkwood took on qualifying at Mid-Ohio for the fifth time this afternoon.
• Maintaining a strong pace as the first Andretti INDYCAR driver to qualify, Kirkwood advanced to Round 2 after posting the quickest time in the first round of qualifying after switching to fresh tires.  
  
• While running in the Fast 12, Kirkwood was not able to find the speed he had earlier in the session to advance into the Firestone Fast Six. Kirkwood will start tenth on the grid for tomorrow’s race.   

“We had a super fast car all weekend and at the test here. We were quickest through every single session, minus the second round of qualifying. We qualified 10th, which isn’t a horrendous starting spot, but definitely not the capability of the Sam’s Club Honda here today. So, we’ll go into the race starting inside the top 10 and work from there.”

No. 28 Delaware Life Honda

• Joining teammate Power in the second group of Round 1, Marcus Ericsson took to the track this afternoon after posting a top-eight result in yesterday’s practice.
• After posting the third-fastest lap in Round 1, Ericsson advanced to Round 2, where he climbed as high as third on the leaderboard. Unfortunately, hitting the curb exiting Turn 9 on his final flying lap cost Ericsson enough time to miss out on the Firestone Fast Six. He will take the green flag from the fourth row on the grid tomorrow.

“The No. 28 Delaware Life Honda was really good all weekend. This qualifying was super tight. I pushed everything I could, but I had a bit of a mistake during the exit of Turn 9, going up to the checkered. I got on the curb, lost some traction and that was enough to bump us out. Of course, it’s frustrating when it’s so close. We definitely had the speed in the car for the Fast Six, but seventh is still a good spot to start for tomorrow.”

“Solid job by everybody all weekend so far. It’s great to have all three cars in the top 10. It just shows how competitive the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is right now. We missed pole position by fractions of a second, and the other guys missed advancing by the same amount. It’s ever so close. But we’re in a good spot for tomorrow. We’ve had solid cars all weekend, and we’ll try to make sure all three of these cars are on the podium.”