Christian Lundgaard put INDYCAR on notice at Mid-Ohio. He earned pole for Sunday’s race and led an Arrow McLaren front-row sweep in qualifying, with Pato O’Ward alongside him. The session came after thunderstorms delayed it nearly three hours.
Mid-Ohio pole for Lundgaard
Lundgaard’s lap of 1 minute, 4.8396 seconds in the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet was enough for the fourth NTT P1 Award of his career. He said, “I think everybody knows the abilities,” after posting the pace-setting run, then added, “I don’t need to say anymore than that.”
The 25-year-old turned that speed into position at a track where track position can shape the whole weekend. He won the Sonsio Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course in May and finished second in the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix presented by AMR at Barber Motorsports Park in March.
Arrow McLaren locks out front row
O’Ward made it a 1-2 for Arrow McLaren by qualifying second in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet with a lap of 1:04.8649. Lundgaard called it, “It’s just awesome to have a 1-2 (for the team in qualifying).” He also said, “We’ve got two wins now and we’re going to carry that momentum.”
That front row gives Arrow McLaren the two best starting spots for The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the 2027 CR-V Hybrid, scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET. Lundgaard last started first in Toronto in 2023 and won that street race.
Palou streak ends at eight
Alex Palou qualified eighth in the No. 10 Open AI Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, ending his streak of five consecutive NTT P1 Awards. His best lap was 1:04.865, fourth-fastest in the session. Those five straight poles are tied for the fourth longest in series history with Mario Andretti and Danny Sullivan.
The Firestone Fast Six also included Will Power, David Malukas, Christian Rasmussen and Rinus VeeKay. For Sunday, the front row is set, Lundgaard has another pole under his belt, and Arrow McLaren has the best starting platform in the season’s 11th race. “We’ve got to go finish the job tomorrow and that’s the most important,” he said.
