Josef Newgarden and Alex Palou claimed pole positions for the upcoming Sukup INDYCAR Race Weekend at Iowa Speedway. Newgarden, representing Team Penske, secured the top spot in qualifying for today’s Synk 275 powered by Sukup with an impressive lap at 183.999 mph, while Palou, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES points leader driving for Chip Ganassi Racing, earned pole for Sunday’s Farm to Finish 275 powered by Sukup with a session-best 184.014 mph.
Qualifying Format and Race Schedule Details
The qualifying session featured two-lap runs where the first lap determined the starting position for Race 1, and the second lap set the grid for Race 2. Notably, Newgarden and Palou will each begin the race where they are not the polesitter in the second event, both starting from fourth position. The weekend includes two races, with today’s event at 5 p.m. ET and Sunday’s race at 1 p.m., both airing on FOX, the FOX Sports app, and the INDYCAR Radio Network.
Newgarden’s Milestone Pole and Palou’s Season Success
This marks Newgarden’s first pole of the 2024 season and the 19th of his career, tying him with Danny Sullivan for 16th place on INDYCAR’s all-time pole list. Newgarden is also a six-time winner on this short oval, showcasing his consistent strength at this track. Meanwhile, Palou achieved his fourth pole of the season and the 10th overall in his career, making him the 42nd driver to reach double-digit poles in the series. Palou’s earlier poles this year came at Barber Motorsports Park, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, and last weekend at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Leading the points standings with six wins, Palou holds a commanding 113-point advantage over Kyle Kirkwood of Andretti Global, including the bonus pole point earned at Iowa.
Front Row Teammates and Notable Competitors
Joining Newgarden on the front row for today’s race is Conor Daly of Juncos Hollinger Racing, while Felix Rosenqvist from Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb-Agajanian will line up beside Palou on Sunday’s front row. Last year’s winners at this 0.894-mile track, Scott McLaughlin and Will Power, face challenging weekends. McLaughlin crashed on his first lap in Turn 1 during qualifying, forcing him to start at the back of both race fields, but he escaped without injury.
Significance of Qualifying and Expectations for the Weekend
Securing strong starting positions is critical at the Iowa Speedway’s short oval, where track position can heavily influence race outcomes. Newgarden’s pole not only highlights his expertise on this circuit but also adds to his career accomplishments. Palou’s dominant qualifying performance reinforces his role as the series points leader and favorite to continue his winning streak. Fans can expect competitive racing over the weekend, as both drivers and their teams aim to maximize their positions for valuable championship points.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is Josef Newgarden in the last row?
A. Josef Newgarden could not claim a third straight Indianapolis 500 victory. He ended the race in xxth place because of a fuel pressure problem. Newgarden began at the back of the lineup due to a qualifying penalty but made it up to 6th before the issue occurred.
Q. How much did Josef Newgarden make for winning the Indy 500?
A. Josef Newgarden, who won the Indy 500 last year, earned a total of $4.288 million from a prize fund of $18.456 million. He also received a $440,000 bonus from BorgWarner for winning again.
