Felix Rosenqvist will celebrate a major career milestone this Sunday by making his 100th start in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES at the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix powered by AmFirst, held at Barber Motorsports Park. Driving the No. 60 SiriusXM Honda for Meyer Shank Racing, he qualified 14th, narrowly missing advancement to the second qualifying round by just 0.0155 seconds. This landmark moment marks nearly five years since his INDYCAR debut, highlighting his steady rise in one of the world’s premier motorsport series.
Rosenqvist described reaching 100 starts as “a bit unreal,” reflecting on the journey that began with his INDYCAR SERIES debut for Chip Ganassi Racing in 2019. That rookie season earned him Rookie of the Year honors, and he secured his first and only INDYCAR victory in 2020 at Road America. Originating from a childhood dream in Sweden, Rosenqvist’s path to this century mark showcases both his personal growth and professional achievements. After three seasons with Arrow McLaren, 2024 saw him step up as the lead driver for Meyer Shank Racing’s Honda-powered team.
Even my first years in INDYCAR, obviously, this is nothing you take for granted, racing in one of the top leagues of the world,
Rosenqvist said.
Now, it’s been like a fast forward. One hundred is a big number. That’s a lot of hours in the car (smiling). I think it’s literally the coolest job in the world you can have.
Heading into Sunday’s 90-lap race set to start at 1:30 p.m. ET and broadcast on FOX, the FOX Sports app, and the INDYCAR Radio Network, Rosenqvist finds himself tied for fourth in the championship standings—the highest point he has reached to date. His consistency this season has been impressive, with finishes of seventh at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, fifth at The Thermal Club INDYCAR Grand Prix, and a strong fourth-place result at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.
Rosenqvist shared,
It’s also nice that I feel better than ever in the series, as well. I probably had my best start in a year that I had. Exciting stuff. I feel like I’m a different guy than what I showed up. I’m a better person in many ways, not only a driver, but just in general. A lot of things have changed since I showed up 2019.
Will Power Shows Momentum With Strong Qualifying
Alongside Rosenqvist’s milestone, Will Power made significant gains at Barber Motorsports Park by qualifying fourth in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet and claiming his first Firestone Fast Six appearance of the season. This qualifying result highlights Power’s improved single-lap speed and sets him up well for the challenging 90-lap race. His ability to climb through the field in recent races — rising 15 positions at The Thermal Club and eight spots at Long Beach — demonstrates his veteran racecraft and strategic prowess, enabling him to overcome mid-pack starts.
Starting near the front puts Power in a competitive position against the 26-driver field, including Team Penske teammate Scott McLaughlin, the two-time defending Barber winner, and two-time reigning NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Alex Palou. Palou claimed pole position in the No. 10 HRC Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing, with McLaughlin joining him on the front row in the No. 3 Good Ranchers Team Penske Chevrolet.
Power commented,
Happy to have my first appearance (this season) in the top 12, actually, let alone the top six. We’ve had very strong race days, but that (Alex) Palou guy, he makes it hard, man. Really happy to be fourth. You can definitely do something from there. It might seem like a track you can’t pass, but it might be a bit of a hectic race tomorrow.
Rinus VeeKay Impresses with Top Qualifying Spot
Rinus VeeKay’s sudden surge at Barber is shaping up as one of the season’s notable stories. After a difficult qualifying last year with Ed Carpenter Racing and limited top-10 finishes early in 2025 with Dale Coyne Racing, he demonstrated remarkable progress by qualifying fifth this weekend. This is particularly significant given his prior difficulties at Barber and his only top-10 finish so far this season being ninth at St. Petersburg. VeeKay’s fifth-place start at a technically demanding, flowing circuit highlights his growing comfort and rapid adaptation to his new team and car.
The Dutch driver, who previously qualified 12th, 13th, and 25th in the season’s first three rounds, praised his car and the team’s efforts. “I love this place,” VeeKay said.
It’s always been good to me. The car was exactly what I needed to be quick. So that really makes it a lot more fun, too. So big props to Dale Coyne Racing and Honda for giving me what I need. It was awesome out there. Had a lot of fun.
Christian Lundgaard Returns to Familiar Grounds
For Christian Lundgaard, Barber Motorsports Park offers a return to a place of early milestones and familiarity. His first INDYCAR test took place at Barber in 2021 with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, and later that year, he made an impressive debut at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course by qualifying fourth. These two tracks mark important steps in the young Dane’s career, and returning to both this week and next weekend at IMS gives him an advantage in experience and confidence as the season intensifies.
I drove my first ever test here,
Lundgaard said.
So, kind of just feels like home in that sense, to come out here.
With three prior starts at Barber, including a career-best sixth-place finish last season, Lundgaard has joined Arrow McLaren this year, bringing renewed energy and ambition. Barber was the site of his second test with the team earlier in March, where he recorded the fourth-fastest time. He said,
The car was good at the test, and I think we just kind of tried to carry that into the weekend.
Starting seventh on Sunday, Lundgaard is positioned between Arrow McLaren teammates Nolan Siegel, who earned a career-best sixth starting spot, and Pato O’Ward, the 2022 Barber winner qualifying eighth. This lineup signals strong potential for the team and underscores Lundgaard’s steady development in high-pressure race environments.
Tim Cindric to Join INDY NXT Broadcast
Adding to the weekend’s excitement, Tim Cindric will have a busy Sunday at Barber Motorsports Park, combining his duties as president of Team Penske’s three-car INDYCAR program with a role in the broadcast booth. Cindric is set to join the FS1 commentators for the INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Alabama, airing at 11:30 a.m. ET. Meanwhile, his son Austin Cindric recently won the NASCAR Cup Series event at Talladega Superspeedway, just down the road, highlighting a weekend of family racing success.
Looking Ahead: The Significance of Rosenqvist’s Milestone
Felix Rosenqvist’s 100th INDYCAR start is far more than a personal milestone; it signifies the culmination of dedication, skill, and resilience in one of motorsport’s most competitive environments. His journey from a young Swedish hopeful to a respected seasoned driver exemplifies perseverance, adaptability, and passion for racing at the highest levels. As he continues to build on his promising 2024 season, marked by consistent top finishes and a career-best points standing, expectations are high.
This milestone also serves as a reminder of the rapid evolution drivers must undergo in INDYCAR, with Rosenqvist emphasizing his growth not only behind the wheel but as a person. His strong qualifying effort and steady results highlight a driver hitting his stride, offering enthusiasm for fans and promise for future successes. With the championship still open and an upcoming challenging schedule, Rosenqvist’s momentum could make the difference in what may become a breakthrough year.
As Sunday’s 90-lap race unfolds at Barber Motorsports Park, the racing community will undoubtedly keep a close eye on Felix Rosenqvist, witnessing a career milestone that reflects both past achievements and an optimistic path forward in the fiercely competitive world of INDYCAR.
