Felix Rosenqvist of Meyer Shank Racing emerged as the top Honda driver during qualifying at the BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland, held at Portland International Raceway. After penalties reshuffled the starting order, Rosenqvist will start from the front row for tomorrow’s race, matching his best grid position this season.
Qualifying Incidents Affect Grid Placements
Rosenqvist’s position benefited from penalties issued to the initial pole-sitter, advancing him to second place on the grid. This mirrors his previous best starting spot of the year, which he earned at the Farm to Finish 275 at Iowa Speedway, during the doubleheader weekend.
Championship leader Alex Palou, driving for Chip Ganassi Racing, qualified sixth fastest but will start fifth following the adjustments to the grid. Despite a mishap during the Firestone Fast Six, which cost him his best lap time, Palou remains firmly positioned near the front as he aims to strengthen his lead in the championship standings.
Palou Eyes Historic Championship Milestone
Palou is on the verge of securing his third straight championship title and fourth over five years, having delivered an impressive season with eight wins over 14 races. His consistent pace and resilience have kept him in strong contention throughout 2025.
Honda’s Quest for Manufacturers’ Championship Continues
Honda is poised to capture its first manufacturers’ championship since 2021, bolstered by a dominant 2025 season with 12 victories out of 14 races—including the prestigious Indianapolis 500. This tally matches Honda’s record in the current IndyCar era, previously set in 2023, and comes with three races still remaining.
The manufacturer holds a commanding 224-point lead in the standings over its competitors, illustrating their strong performance this season.
Detailed Honda Qualifying Results at Portland
The qualifying results for Honda drivers at Portland International Raceway are as follows:
- 3rd – Felix Rosenqvist
- 6th – Alex Palou
- 8th – Marcus Armstrong
- 10th – Scott Dixon
- 11th – Marcus Ericsson
- 12th – Kyffin Simpson
- 14th – Devlin DeFrancesco
- 16th – Colton Herta
- 17th – Louis Foster (Rookie)
- 20th – Kyle Kirkwood
- 22nd – Graham Rahal
- 23rd – Rinus VeeKay
- 27th – Jacob Abel (Rookie)
Drivers Reflect on Qualifying Performance
Felix Rosenqvist commented on the unusual nature of the qualifying session, highlighting tire grip challenges and a disrupted late run:
“It was kind of a weird qualifying. It was hard to feel the tires, sometimes they’re in, sometimes they’re not. Q2 we had a mega lap, but I couldn’t really do the same in the Firestone Fast Six. And then someone went off in front of me, and it was kind of a scrappy run. But P3 is good, that will be front row for tomorrow, so that’s a good day for us!”
—Felix Rosenqvist, Meyer Shank Racing Honda
Alex Palou reflected on his own challenges and current form:
“We were definitely fighting; we were trying to go for pole. It’s always good when you’re in the Fast Six, but you never want to crash in the Fast Six. I’m really happy with how the car has been feeling all weekend and the speed we have been having. Starting P5 after a penalty someone else has, and that’s going to be a great place to start tomorrow!”
—Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
Upcoming Race Broadcast Information
The BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland will take place tomorrow at Portland International Raceway, with live coverage airing on Fox beginning at 12 PM Pacific Time / 3 PM Eastern Time.
Significance of Rosenqvist’s Front Row Start
Rosenqvist’s front-row start underscores his strong pace and adaptability this season, while positioning him well to challenge for a podium finish. For Honda, maintaining this momentum in qualifying and race day supports their pursuit of both driver and manufacturers’ titles. As the season nears its conclusion, the outcomes at Portland will be critical for championship aspirations, particularly for Alex Palou and Honda’s continued dominance.
