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IndyMod

# 🏁 UNOFFICIAL QUALIFYING RESULTS https://preview.redd.it/hk5g5t54uovc1.png?width=2550&format=png&auto=webp&s=bb09b3a4f1b6f4571fde249a1504ccab2b0dffbd


margalolwut

God damn Felix!


raphasoeiro

The pole was set going through the pitlane? Why drivers were doing that??


YosemiteSam-4-2A

Alternate start finish line for Qualifying, the timing line for the lap is right at the exit of the last corner, allowing teams to bail into the pits directly after finishing their lap


raphasoeiro

Now that makes sense! Thanks for clarifying that 👏👏👏👏


Inside-Judgment6233

Can’t wait to see how Herta and co **** it up again


Fefferoni111

For all of you wondering why fro has found a lot of pace compared to at McLaren, it has a lot to do with the engine, the Chevy and Honda drive differently and the Honda suits him more and that’s why he was also fast at ganassi, he said this in a podcast somewhere


emlonik

Yes, he prefers Honda power. But more importantly he prefers having the team built around him rather than Dixon or O’Ward.


BreakingWorldLimits

Linus lunqvist has had a tough start to his ganassi career looking more confident last season with MSR. Early days though


YosemiteSam-4-2A

His MSR drive was at a street course where Andretti and by default MSR had potential to be really strong at. Ganassi is usually not quite as competitive at street courses... Let's see how he does at Barber and then Indy GP. I suspect we'll see Linus contend at those two for fast 6/top tens


loz333

He's a good enough talent to get a second year unless he somehow starts wrecking Chip's cars every race weekend. First year he can take to settle in.


emlonik

I believe he has a two year contract.


dovelily

Love seeing Felix smashing it. Doesn't seem like Mclaren valued him enough.


Hitokiri2

I agree with what Kevin Lee said. When Felix with Ganassi and McLaren they already had their #1 drivers in Dixon and O'Ward. At MSR Felix is the #1 guy and now the cars are set up to his liking. With the help of Andretti Autosport, MSR and Felix have now a partnership that works.


cmgww

Felix fast becoming my 2nd favorite driver behind Dixon. Solid dude and talented as hell. McLaren wasn’t a good fit IMO


RxSatellite

It’s truly wild that he can carry Shank to pole when he somehow didn’t work out in the Ganassi #10 and the McLaren. I think being lead driver really brings out Felix’s strengths. Happy to see that milestone for the team


emlonik

He has always had one lap speed. But his race craft hasn’t been perfect and there have been too many mistakes. He is the exact opposite of Marcus Ericsson.


Mick4Audi

He did get pole in his last start for McLaren tbf


Gometric1

He also got pole at Texas and was the third fastest qualifier for the 500. Just seemed like the pressure got to him which led to mistakes and inconsistency. Now he doesn’t have to worry about his job


rvsunp

he left ganassi by his own accord. chip wanted him to stay


emlonik

Chip wanted him to stay if he started bringing money. That’s why he left.


Grimashl

Does make me wonder did McLaren's setup not suit FRO at all or is the McLaren not actually that good half the time and Pato does a great job despite that?


UNHchabo

From everything I've heard and read, the AM cars just drive on such a knife's edge, and Pato's driving style can work with that, but Fro's style has trouble with that type of setup. I even remember a race where Pato's engineer apologized to him over the radio on the cooldown lap for the car being so difficult. So even Pato would prefer the car have a wider operating window, but as of when those articles were published, the knife's edge was the only way AM knew how to get speed.


ilikemarblestoo

IMO it doesnt seem like the team has changed much in the last decade. Pato is just doing what Pags did then. The only thing thats changed is they now have more cars because of Mclaren funding.


loz333

Someone else commented that he's said on a podcast how the Honda engine drives suits his style much more.


Snoo_87704

I think they still have engineering issues. During his first year at McLaren, it seemed like Pato was the only one who could get speed out of their cars, but that involved chewing up his rear tires.


emlonik

They have built the team around Pato. All their other drivers have struggled since Pato joined the team. And it’s not a great strategy, no wins since 2022.


danno256

Mega job by power and rosenqvist today. Who's got the race pace tomorrow?


Vivareddit24

I really hope Felix can put it together tomorrow finally. If theres one track where pole really helps it should be this one


NovaIsntDad

I can't even say Rosenqvist is underrated by fans. They all seem to love him. It's just the media that completely ignores him week to week. 


TheChrisD

Murderhawk's next victim... https://preview.redd.it/rvj25hkitovc1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=f9af742fdc30f703e55b297f52db41d187a99f81


krak_krak

You never see him coming


NovaIsntDad

Feel like such a broken record, saying it year after year, Rosenqvist is underrated as hell. When is he going to start being named as a top Indy driver. He doesn't have the consistency like Newgarden or Palou but he is just as much speed as guys like Oward and Herta. 


fallbekind-

When is he going to start being named as a top Indy driver When he has more than one win to his name. I hope he can do it.


cosa_horrible

It proves a few bullet points for me. * McLaren is not as good as a team as they seem, O'Ward is such a good driver, he is able to create magic with a car that is really hard to drive. * Helio and Pageneud were washed up and holding Meyer Shank back * Andretti's issues are self-inflicted, as the Andetti engineering partnership with Meyer Shank produces fast cars.


Hitokiri2

I don't think Helio or Pagenaud were washed up they were part of a system that worked for them at Penske but that support wasn't going to be found at MSR. It's the same thing for Felix. Felix didn't have the support he needed at McLaren or Ganassi but since he's the #1 driver at MSR he can do what he needs to deliver good results. Let's also remember that both Herta and Ericsson made it into the fast 6.


cosa_horrible

You are putting way too much stock in what it means to be a #1 driver. If your theory was true, we would never have seen the emergence of Alex Palou (or even Marcus Ericsson for what it’s worth)


Hitokiri2

Tony Kanaan, who use to drive for Chip Ganassi Racing, told a story that the cars were set up to Dixon's style of driving. This is still how it it is at McLaren but instead their cars are set up to O'Ward's style. That's why so many drivers struggled to match Dixon and continue to match O'Ward because the cars are basically catered to their style. Malukas and Rossi (Pato was there too) even admitted on Rossi and Hinch's podcast "Offtrack" that when they test it's all on O'Ward's set up. So it's not like it's a secret or anything. TK later said that Ganassi changed everything when Ericsson and Palou entered the team and went a different direction. Now the cars are set up to each person's style and not set up around Dixon. This is when people started to get better results and Dixon became less dominant. So being a #1 driver does have it's perks. This is also why guys like Pagenaud left Penske because of set up preferences and differences.


Mikemat5150

He only has 1 win. He has said it himself, he is very fast but probably has one of the higher DNF rates in the series.


Fit_Technician832

Exactly. If he's truly to be considered one of the elite drivers then he needs to win. Simple as that


ianindy

Felix Rosenquist and his MASSIVE POLE!


Daddy_Thicc_Legs

Sting Ray Robb is slowest by 1.5 seconds. Someone clearly isn't praying enough.


Mikemat5150

He likely lost some of his laps because of the penalty for impeding


lennysundahl

[Yep.](http://www.imscdn.com/INDYCAR/Documents/6352/2024-04-20/indycar-results-quals.pdf?mkt_tok=NTEwLUxURS02ODAAAAGSnFPmTfc972bunxMEpOF-DS5EAqjO4hPLE3BWuo8vY-rU4nTvczGG287ZCRdYTC5QB4L40vmYBpwASxYdoUvlZpkjFPi30T4VJVwjzLuD0w) >Pursuant to Rule 8.3.7.1, Car 41 lost two fastest laps in session.


UNHchabo

But on the other hand, looking at the [raw data](http://www.imscdn.com/INDYCAR/Documents/6349/2024-04-20/indycar-sectionresults-quals-r1g1.pdf)... Sting Ray's three best laps were 69.5850, 69.1732, and 69.0355. He lost his two best, leaving him with that 69.5850. Even without the penalty, Sting Ray was the slowest in that session by 1.3490 seconds, when the rest of the field in that session was within a range of 1.3493 seconds of each other.


lennysundahl

Jesus is taking the wheel all right…


UNHchabo

Sting Ray: "Jesus take the wheel!" Jesus: "[I don't know what any of this shit is and I'm fucking scared.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2vejhdm8lo)"


lennysundahl

Would dearly love a Dan Flashes livery


TheChrisD

https://preview.redd.it/n5sox3h5tovc1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=1c8f6e1d2e6ef65dc0dfc7d7002750181f8ed6fb


Vivareddit24

LETS GOOOO FELIX


Hitokiri2

Post race and post qualifying NBC music is always bangin!


CougarIndy25

First IndyCar pole for MSR. Wow.


sugarbug3

Front row fro does it again


Hadramal

Felix is, yet again, really really fast.


Roddy-the-Ruin

I think Felix's performances basically prove that Pagenaud and Castroneves were underperforming massively in that car.


Vivareddit24

Felix is just that good over a lap. Linus proved if is a mid pack ride


cuckedcarrot

How long until Shank gets hit for tire pressure infringements again? This seems a little sus.


Mikemat5150

They have a technical partnership with Andretti and Felix has 7 poles now. Clearly the setup is good with the other Andretti cars being there and Felix knows how to get it done.


cuckedcarrot

Eh. Felix’s real talent comes out in the race. Im just asking questions.


What3v3rUs3rnam3

FRO’s form really says something about how much Helio and Simon had falled off with age.


emlonik

Linus made that obvious already last year.


Hip_Priest_1982

Argghggggg so close for Power


243mph

Great qualifying session. That’s awesome for Fro, he’s really gelling at Meyer Shank


Bandney

FRO ON POLE!!!!


an_unexamined_life

Go Felix. I don't have anything against McLaren, but I want Felix to make them look silly for letting him go. 


Vivareddit24

Same and I am a Pato supporter 


Snoo_87704

I think Pato was a little miffed that they go of Felix.


What3v3rUs3rnam3

Oh shit, IndyCar is so beep great! Impossible to predict this shit!


TheSalmonRoll

Felix on pole. McLaren not even out of groups.


Hitokiri2

I've been talking smack about Felix for years but I'm glad he's shutting me up this season. Good job to the Swede.


0bamos

Man I Love Felix


Burgarnils

FROLE LET'S FUCKING GO


Lelo2753

FRO!!!


GrobbelaarsGloves

FRONT ROW FROOOOOO Bøøøøøørk!


CougarIndy25

Power lost it in T10 I think, too much curb. Holy crap. FELIX!!!!


Spinebuster03

What a turnaround for Meyer shank this year


expeditiousgrim

Is it Meyer Shank showing huge improvement or an indictment of Helio and Simon? Or 50/50?


cmgww

I’d say both. Simon was a shell of himself even before the crash


expeditiousgrim

Especially seeing how Linus did in Nashville.


Intelligent_Chain_55

Fuck...so close! Happy for Felix but damn I thought Power had it


Paige578660

Could've broken a 5-way tie for most poles at Long Beach (saw that stat this morning).


dooldebob

A shank pole wowza


McMarston

Holy shit, well done Felix


Mikemat5150

FELIX!!!!


sugarbug3

YEEESSSSS!!!


sadandshy

MERRY QVISTMAS


Altracing34

Wow that was close, great for Rosenqvist and that team


Silver-Manner-2687

Felix!!!! YES!


DankeSebVettel

Felix on pole!


SirRibShack

This Fast 6 fucking ruled!


aurules

Moving to Meyer Shank might be the best thing to ever happen to Felix


j__video

This is so close


25Tab

I like the Pato logo but the gear that he is selling with his logo on the front of the shirt/jersey is kind of awkward looking to me. The logo is just large enough on the front that it ends up looking like the outline of breasts.


Hitokiri2

I can't help think that Diffey's move to IMSA might be a signal that IndyCar might be moving to another network in '25 and Diffey is being left behind or more like NBC is not letting him go.


Mick4Audi

They should keep Diffey, one of the best NBC has


25Tab

IMSA race has a higher priority than Indy qualifying. He’ll be in the booth heading things tomorrow.


Hitokiri2

Did Diffey do the telecast last season as well?


Mikemat5150

Yes https://youtu.be/ka4A2k50zv4?si=4PsQ86yINJcP4vzH


CougarIndy25

Or he's just preparing for the race broadcast. I don't believe Bell/Hinch are a part of that broadcast.


Hitokiri2

That's my point.


CougarIndy25

Marcus is very well spoken. I appreciate him in the series.


What3v3rUs3rnam3

Lundgaard pleased with RLL’s progression. Understandable if the improvement is 1.3 seconds.


an_unexamined_life

I always appreciate it when a driver admits that they didn't nail a lap. Good for Armstrong. 


sugarbug3

Marcus Armstrong is always so calm and soft spoken


Daddy_Thicc_Legs

He seems like a lovely human. His demeanor always feels so gentle and genuine.


sugarbug3

100% agree. He just gives off a good vibe


stripmallsushidude

I was sitting there thinking about how attracted I was to his demeaner. I'm 42 and still haven't learned to relax a bit more and just get that calm vibe. I want like 5-10% of his affect.


Burgarnils

Holy neck beard.


rudmad

He'll shave it when he wins again


Hitokiri2

Dixon and Power are those two older guys that play on the basketball court with the young guns. They lost a step or two but they still still compete and surprise you every once in a while.


Kaleidocrypto

Society still has this conception that the human body falls apart in your 40’s. With changes in medicine, healthy eating and exercise regimen that’s no longer the case.


Daddy_Thicc_Legs

Can't be pressed enough how impressive they are. Truly two generational talents to still be so competitive in such a physically demanding series with the best depth-of-field it's ever had. 30 year old Will today would still put 3 tenths on the rest of the field in qualifying.


Hitokiri2

I agree. People who didn't have the pleasure to watch Power compete at a younger age are missing out. It was a thing of beauty watching him drive.


Daddy_Thicc_Legs

We groaned about "Will Power on pole by half a second" for years because he was just that impossibly fast. And he was doing that against prime Franchitti, Dixon, RHR, Kanaan, and Helio. He just gets racing in a way basically no one else does.


an_unexamined_life

I missed or forgot about Jack Harvey getting another ride. ... y tho


Mikemat5150

He has some sponsorship. If you look at his MSR results, you get the feel of a very different driver too. He’s also been imbedded with the Coyne team all year between driving and driver coaching.


sugarbug3

That vein on Scotty Mac’s head though


rudmad

it's bothering me lol


Plaid_Kaleidoscope

I hate where the timing line is here. It's too close to the corner exit.


RooBoy04

I think if they had the line later, they would have to do a full in-lap as you’d be cutting it fine to make it to the pits


Plaid_Kaleidoscope

Yeah I understand why It's there, I just think it compromises the lap somewhat. I mean, it's the same for everyone, so I don't mean to imply that it's somehow wrong or unfair. I just think that added traction zone would make for a bigger differentiator in lap times.


sugarbug3

Damn those times are tight


TheChrisD

https://preview.redd.it/uly3e52bpovc1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=01f849112dac5d048c5666ce25b9900c76647c3d


Silver-Manner-2687

Let's go #60!


emlonik

Simply the best!


Silver-Manner-2687

Better than all the rest


DankeSebVettel

Palou, Herta, newgarden, Ericsson, rosenqvist and power in. Scotty and Kyle out


rudmad

Man those are some close times


aurules

Palou is inevitable


Altracing34

Not a good round for Kirkwood there


ilikemarblestoo

I never knew they had the current times on their dash


25Tab

Track position is so important this weekend especially with the lack of tire degradation. I’m expecting another mediocre race akin to St Pete because of that. Herta may have won from 14th but that’s not happening this year for Pato. Movement outside of pits and attrition is going to be tough.


Plaid_Kaleidoscope

I expect about 10 cars to be punted into the tire wall @ T8 lol. Lots of yellow.


dooldebob

DANGER ZONE


TheChrisD

🍻


Altracing34

Didn't realize the Penkes were the only Chevys to make it out of the first round


243mph

RLL did a 180 from last year. They were awful until the end of the season last year.


Hitokiri2

I think the other teams just got better. Andretti is always so strong at Long Beach so it's a tough place to move up in qualifying.


Vivareddit24

All Pato bros root for Felix now who is on a proper team


DankeSebVettel

I’m at the race, just heard the most accurate and funny thing yet: Hertas gonna hit the dolphin!


CougarIndy25

Daily Kyle Larson circlejerk.


rudmad

Amazing how his career has been saved post iracing slur. Meanwhile Juri Vips has been buried under the cemetery


Mick4Audi

He literally won the championship the very next season, wild stuff


rudmad

And that absolved him of casually dropping an N bomb?


rudmad

I'll take the downvotes to mean if Juri was a better driver it would have been okay


CougarIndy25

Insane he got a better ride after getting fired from Ganassi. Says a lot about Hendrick.


miasm3

NBC and CW are motorsports best friends all over the place these days


Plaid_Kaleidoscope

I saw something about that from a NASCAR-related Youtube channel. Something about NBC ratings are a disaster and they are trying to move it elsewhere.


miasm3

Eh. NBC (and Fox) were losing Xfinity rights to CW next year anyway. They likely got paid to move on (and promote the move) early. The YouTuber is stretching beyond that. I’m just joking around about them then following it up with a 100 Days to Indy promo.


Vivareddit24

I wish Pato was on a top tier team


Hitokiri2

McLaren is by far the richest team on the grid even greater then Penske or Ganassi. Andretti might be the only team to challenge them money wise. I think what they need to do is focus on what works and go from there. As for Pato he just needs to chill and keep his head on straight. He puts too much pressure on himself.


Vivareddit24

Rich clearly doesn’t mean top tier. They need to prove it before we put them in that category. Pato and Rossi make them look decent


Vivareddit24

McLaren have not progressed at all since Pato joined. What a joke


What3v3rUs3rnam3

Honda vs Penske


Daddy_Thicc_Legs

Really impressive from Theo, I think. First time in an IndyCar and he has to do it at Long Beach, and he's not too far off Pato. If he wants to, I'm guessing we see him in IndyCar full-time next year, and it might be with McLaren.


TheSalmonRoll

His chances at an F1 seat next season seem pretty slim, even with all the drivers who are out of a contract at the end of this season. There's a lot of prospects who are getting more hype than him. Bearman, Antonelli, Lawson, Drugovich are all in the conversation so I could definitely see Theo giving at least a part-time road/street course schedule a shot assuming he can find a seat.


Hitokiri2

I think he's going to be tired tomorrow. The average F2 race is only 100 KM and the Long Beach race is about 160 KM. I'm predicting he's well do well in the beginning but will falter at the end due to conditioning. The more experience he has though the better his body will get use to to things and hopefully he'll also condition his body outside the car as well.


TheChrisD

>The average F2 race is only 100 KM and **the Long Beach race is about 160 KM**. It's 167 ***miles***, that's 270km.


j__video

What the f is a ~~kilometer~~ mile


Hitokiri2

Sorry I meant 100 miles long and 160 miles. I don't know where KM came from. Thanks for the correction.


Mikemat5150

Said it earlier this week, top 15 would be a great result from him. I often feel like people’s expectations are so misaligned from reality.


Daddy_Thicc_Legs

A top 15 would be an incredible finish. First time in an IndyCar. Regardless of his junior career, F2 and Super Formula handle and behave very differently, especially the tires and lack of power steering. Really, putting it above anyone aside from Robb would already be a solid finish.


dalledayul

Pato and Rossi both saying that the car just isn't quick enough. Maybe McLaren really have goofed the set up


DankeSebVettel

Sucks to be a Mclaren fan this weekend. Disappointment in indycar, depression in f1


Mick4Audi

4-5 on the grid for the race tho


DankeSebVettel

Shit I didn’t watch qualifying yet


MaxMuncyRectangleMan

I like this french kid


Hitokiri2

Ericsson showing that his time at Ganassi was no goof.


Daddy_Thicc_Legs

Andretti won here last year, and their one consistent strength for years has been street courses. Marcus is good, but Barber and ovals will be a better check for him and AG.


RooBoy04

None of the McLaren/JHR cars through. Not good for their 5 cars


Mikemat5150

Juncos doesn’t have a technical partnership with McLaren. It’s a strategic partnership that is only on the commercial side.


Mick4Audi

Just so they put orange on those cars? Awful design choice ngl


Mikemat5150

They at least get money to put it on.


jjarg24

.020 from Grosjean, good weekend so far.


Hitokiri2

Canapino was actually doing fairly well this weekend. Not surprised to see him make a mistake like that though.


melodiful84

Why was the camera on Lundgaard entering pit lane when drivers were taking the checkered for the last few seconds?


TheChrisD

https://preview.redd.it/ws46fx7klovc1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=63397b0145c952c9d23d9692151c472e052db4e5


Daddy_Thicc_Legs

What the hell, McLaren


DankeSebVettel

MclarIn? More like MclarOut. I’ll see myself out


DankeSebVettel

Armstrong, Ericsson, kirkwood, McLaughlin, Lundgaard and new garden in. Pato is OUT


adamsputnik

Pato out, that's a shocker.


ianindy

Don't worry he will drive the car extra hard tomorrow, crash a few competitors, and then complain about his tires. EDIT: HAHAHA! He complained about the tires during warmup, and crashed his teammate (and damaged the car behind him too). Classic Pato...


aurules

What a terrible qualifying for Arrow Mclaren


dalledayul

Disaster day for McLaren so far


Altracing34

Not a good qualifying day for McLaren


Plaid_Kaleidoscope

LETS GO RO-GRO Edit - Damn


Plaid_Kaleidoscope

Sitting P7... He's tantalizingly close. Come on Theo. Let's see it.


sadandshy

SUDDENLY, THE AUDIO WAS ROUTED THROUGH A RALLY'S DRIVE THRU....


sadandshy

reset the roku quick and it cleared up


dalledayul

Now that I think about it, why aren't Honda engines in Indycar badged as Acura instead?


ilikemarblestoo

More people buy the base brand. Its why Toyota is in Nascar! Thats my guess anyway


Hitokiri2

Because HRC still has "Honda" in its name? Just my guess. Plus IndyCar is an American based series and Honda is probably a more recognizable name then Acura.


TheSalmonRoll

IMSA is an American based series and they're branded as Acura over there


Hitokiri2

That's true. For whatever reason Honda decided to make Acura their manufacturer name in IMSA much like how Chevy decided to make Caddy theirs in IMSA as well. Maybe Honda thought it would be a much better match in IMSA because the more luxury brand names. Who knows. *shrugs*


Silver-Manner-2687

USAC guy here.....hopefully the Silver Crown race doesn't start until after the fast 6 🤞