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Alex Palou Secures WWTR Pole With Thrilling Final Lap
Highlights
- Alex Palou claimed pole position at World Wide Technology Raceway.
- Palou’s 17th career pole, fifth in nine races this season.
- Race starts Sunday at 9 p.m. ET with live FOX coverage.
- David Malukas qualified second; Kyle Kirkwood third at WWTR.
- Palou leads championship by 62 points over Kyle Kirkwood.
Alex Palou delivers a composed qualifying performance to take pole at World Wide Technology Raceway for the Bommarito Automotive Group 500, setting a two-lap average of 174.353 mph on the 1.25-mile oval.
Palou’s two-lap average of 174.353 mph secures the NTT P1 Award at WWTR.
The four-time and reigning champion claims his 17th career pole, his fifth in nine races this season, and crucially his fourth in succession. That streak underlines momentum in a title bid already backed by a 62-point lead over Kyle Kirkwood.
Palou’s run also extends a rare sequence not seen since Will Power in 2011. It follows recent qualifying form that included topping the order in Detroit, reinforcing a trend of single-lap execution across contrasting venues.
[p]The NTT P1 Award arrives despite WWTR being one of Palou’s more challenging circuits. He was second in morning practice and then found more speed. “My car was on rails today; it was incredible,” he said. “It’s the place that I’ve struggled the most so far, so hopefully this speed will continue tomorrow.”[/p]
David Malukas lines up second after a tidy two-lap average of 173.244 mph in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet. It’s another step in a quietly efficient rookie campaign.
Kyle Kirkwood, last year’s WWTR winner, starts third with 173.206 mph in the No. 27 Sam’s Club Honda for Andretti Global. His baseline pace suggests a credible defense of that 2025 success.
It’s his fourth consecutive pole, a streak last achieved by Will Power in 2011.
Felix Rosenqvist joins Kirkwood on row two after a 172.953 mph run. Scott McLaughlin is fifth at 172.869 mph in a throwback DEX liveried car honoring Helio Castroneves’ 2009 Indianapolis 500 victory.
Marcus Armstrong completes the third row at 172.483 mph. Josef Newgarden, a five-time WWTR winner and perennial oval benchmark, starts eighth after a 172.415 mph average.
WWTR’s two-lap qualifying format rewards an immediate balance and clean out-lap prep. Palou and Chip Ganassi Racing hit that narrow window, translating a solid practice read into peak grip when it counted.
The 260-lap race, starting at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, places emphasis on traffic management, pit entry discipline, and caution timing. Track position matters, but restart execution often proves decisive under the lights.
The Bommarito Automotive Group 500 starts Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on FOX.
Palou’s best WWTR finish is fourth, so conversion is the next test. Securing the NTT P1 Award gives him control of the opening stint; sustaining it will hinge on tire life and how aggressively rivals attack through the first cycles.
Visual Summary
Brian Thompson focuses on IndyCar Series news, from qualifying speeds at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to street-course race strategy. He delivers concise feature stories and technical breakdowns on chassis setups, tire choices, and championship standings for open-wheel enthusiasts.
