Palou's record run earns Ganassi third straight Indy pole
Alex Palou will lead the field to green in the Indianapolis 500 after the young Spaniard put together the fastest fourlap pole run in history Sunday, edging Rinus VeeKay and Felix Rosenqvist to give Chip Ganassi Racing its third consecutive pole in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
Palou, who won on the road course race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway last weekend, whipped four laps around the historic 2.5-mile speedway at an average of 234.217 mph. That was a mere 0.007 mph faster than VeeKay, who still gave Ed Carpenter Racing a front-row starting spot for the ninth time in the last 11 years.
“It means the world to me now, to the boys, to everybody,” said Palou, who is likely moving to Arrow McLaren next year.
He roared when Rosenqvist missed out on the pole for Arrow McLaren in the last run of the day.
“I'm just super happy,” Palou said.
Palou surpassed the record pole run of 234.046 mph that Ganassi teammate Scott Dixon put up last year. It also was the second-fastest qualifying effort, trailing only Arie Luyendyk's 236.986, which he set the day after pole qualifying in 1996.
“He did exactly what he needed to do. He'll be the first to tell you it was a total team effort,” said Ganassi, who put a car on the pole at the Indy 500 for the eighth time. “We're going to sail into the 500 starting on the pole. We're pretty excited.”
Palou was confident he had a fast car, even though Rosenqvist was quickest during the Fast 12 efforts earlier in the day.
“We have to go fast. Are you ready to go really fast?” team manager Barry Wanser asked Palou over the radio, as the 26-year-old headed off pit road under sunny skies and before a huge crowd lining the old speedway. “Let's get it done.”
He did, and his rivals were left looking for more.
“I got everything out of it. Wish I had just a little more,” VeeKay said. “It's so close, and the thing really had a shot for the pole position, but also I'm a bit spoiled to say that. This is only the start to the race. Proud of the team, proud of the whole crew.”