On Saturday, March 6, David Malukas claimed the first pole position of his NTT IndyCar Series career during qualifying at Phoenix Raceway. His No. 12 car achieved a best lap averaging 175.383 mph, edging out second-placed Josef Newgarden by nearly a mile per hour in a session marked by challenging track conditions. This milestone carried significant emotional weight for Malukas after multiple near-misses throughout his career.
Challenging Conditions Test Drivers’ Skills
The Phoenix qualifying session presented tricky conditions, with drivers struggling to maintain grip, especially through turns 1 and 2 where swirling winds unsettled the cars. Malukas admitted the car was far from stable during his run.
“It’s all just turns 1 and 2, the way the wind is playing out. All of the sudden, you feel good, you’re in the corner, the car’s confident. And then you get a little bit of wind and it just moves the rear around,”
he said.
Despite the difficulties, Malukas expressed immense relief and joy after securing pole position, saying,
“So many P2’s… Feels so good. What a way to start the season… Through the moon.”
Penske Team Dominates with Newgarden Close Behind
Josef Newgarden, driving the No. 2 car, followed closely with a lap average of 174.548 mph, completing a Penske team front-row lockout. After his run, Newgarden emphasized the importance of track dynamics in the upcoming race.
“It’s going to be a matter of can you use multiple lanes, and that’s going to determine whether this is a solid race or not,”
he explained.
“I think you can pass in a single-lane situation. If you get a 15 or 20-lap offset, it seems like you can pass. But for the majority of the stints, if it’s single-file, it’s going to be tough to do much.”
Sudden Change in Track Conditions Heightens Difficulty
Track temperature during qualifying was approximately 30 degrees warmer than earlier practice, dramatically affecting grip levels around the circuit. Several drivers noted the lack of adhesion through turns 1 and 2 as a core challenge, differing drastically from the morning session. This was highlighted by an incident involving two-time champion Will Power, whose promising first lap was overshadowed by a violent crash on his second attempt, sending his Andretti Global No. 26 car into the SAFER Barrier.
Power sustained a sore knee after the impact and admitted he had not received medical clearance to drive prior to the crash. He remarked,
“Rough start to the year… These things happening are not good.”
Veteran and Rookie Performances Reflect Varied Team Progress
Scott Dixon, a former winner at Phoenix, struggled with grip compared to morning practice, noting the combined effect of wind and higher track temperature.
“Grip didn’t feel as good as this morning,”
he stated, continuing,
“Wind direction and track temp are different. Turn 1 and 2, you start turning, then it just keeps turning for you.”
In contrast, Marcus Ericsson posted a solid 172.364 mph lap, showing a more composed run after adjustments following Power’s crash. Graham Rahal delivered an impressive 173.993 mph, marking his first top-five start on an oval since 2009 and signaling improved competitiveness for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.
Rahal expressed optimism, stating,
“Overall, I’m super pleased with the team. We’ve been working very hard at this.”
Rookie Mick Schumacher also impressed behind the wheel of the No. 47 car, posting 173.667 mph without using all of his hybrid power. He reflected,
“Great to have the experience. Managed to put together a couple of good laps.”
Schumacher’s smooth performance stood out among drivers constantly balancing grip challenges and aggressive positioning.
Additional Competitors Show Promise at Phoenix
Scott McLaughlin achieved fifth place with a 173.448 mph lap, managing to maintain his line despite lifting in corners and making significant steering inputs. Alexander Rossi, fresh from topping preseason testing, turned a sturdy 173.389 mph, with Pato O’Ward close behind at 173.344 mph, both indicating strong setups for race day.
Nolan Siegel impressed by securing ninth place for his McLaren Chevrolet team. After qualifying, Siegel expressed confidence in his performance and excitement about the weekend ahead.
“I really like this place, so far. I think it’s super fun to drive and qualifying laps are really fun … After St. Pete, we’re looking for a result to kind of match the work that we’ve done, and I think this is a good place to do it.”
Felix Rosenqvist, meanwhile, missed the qualifying session due to a crash during practice, removing another potential contender and adding an unpredictable element to the race weekend.
Prospects for the Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix
The Good Ranchers 250 is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 7, with live broadcast coverage on FOX. Following a qualifying session filled with fluctuating conditions and standout performances, the race promises to test driver skill, team strategy, and tire management under heat-affected track surfaces.
David Malukas’s breakthrough pole position at Phoenix Raceway not only marks a personal achievement but also sets a competitive tone for the season ahead. With the Penske team demonstrating strong pace and other drivers like Rahal and Schumacher showing upward trajectories, Sunday’s race should deliver intense racing action driven by careful adaptation to evolving track complexities.
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