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How Alternate Tires Propelled Marcus Armstrong to Victory in Portland
Highlights
- Marcus Armstrong topped practice with a 58.2981-second lap time.
- Armstrong used Firestone Firehawk alternate “red” tires, gaining grip advantage.
- Qualifying for NTT P1 Award scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.
- Series leader Alex Palou placed second; Scott Dixon was third fastest.
- Sunday’s race will cover 110 laps, starting at 4 p.m. ET.
- Race strategies will hinge on tire choices seen in Saturday practice.
Marcus Armstrong leads Portland’s second practice on Saturday with a 58.2981s lap, exploiting Firestone’s alternate red tire for peak grip.
The Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb-Agajanian driver of the No. 66 OnlyBulls Honda sets the weekend benchmark and signals qualifying intent.
Unlike rivals on primary blacks, Armstrong leans on the softer compound, trading durability for one-lap performance and track position in a session dominated by short runs.
Marcus Armstrong’s 58.2981s came on Firestone’s alternate “red” tire, maximizing one-lap grip.
The tactic draws attention across the 25-car field in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES event, with qualifying for the NTT P1 Award at 7 p.m. ET.
Qualifying for the NTT P1 Award begins at 7 p.m. ET.
Teams now balance tire inventory, out-lap preparation, and Portland’s evolving surface to convert that grip advantage into grid position.
Marcus Ericsson at Andretti Global praises the early switch to reds, reading a clear single-lap offset that could decide progression through qualifying rounds.
The strategic question shifts to race trim, where stint length, track temperature, and degradation, rather than outright speed, determine which tire survives a 110-lap challenge.
Championship leader Alex Palou posts 58.6106s for second in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, with teammate Scott Dixon third at 58.6404.
Ganassi’s qualifying base looks strong, and Palou’s momentum aligns with his bid for a fourth straight title, fifth overall, as highlighted by his recent practice session performance.
Indianapolis 500 winner Felix Rosenqvist is fourth in the No. 60 SiriusXM Honda, running a Grateful Dead tribute livery.
David Malukas completes the top five at 58.7462 in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, and sits 83 points behind Palou in the standings.
Saturday’s data shapes tire selection and stint targets for qualifying and the race, defining the crossover between reds and blacks as Portland rubbers in.
Sunday’s 110-lap race starts at 4 p.m. ET on FOX, FOX Deportes, and FOX One, with audio on INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls.
Sunday’s race covers 110 laps, with the green flag at 4 p.m. ET.
Armstrong’s benchmark forces rivals to choose between qualifying aggression on reds and safeguarding race pace, a balance likely to dictate Portland’s outcome.
Visual Summary
RED TIRE
Armstrong Hits Top Speed:
Red Tire Gamble Pays Off
🔥 Fastest Lap of Weekend:
58.2981s
1st
Armstrong
OnlyBulls Honda
Armstrong
OnlyBulls Honda
2nd
Palou
Ganassi Honda
Palou
Ganassi Honda
3rd
Dixon
Ganassi Honda
Dixon
Ganassi Honda
4th
Rosenqvist
SiriusXM Honda
Rosenqvist
SiriusXM Honda
5th
Malukas
Team Penske
Malukas
Team Penske
MORE GRIP
RED ALT
↔️
STEADY
BLACK STD
Armstrong’s daring red tire run
set the standard for qualifying, forcing rivals to rethink their Sunday strategy. Will everyone chase speed or play it safe?
set the standard for qualifying, forcing rivals to rethink their Sunday strategy. Will everyone chase speed or play it safe?
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.
