Kyle Kirkwood takes pole at Long Beach as Andretti Global locks out front row
Kyle Kirkwood led an Andretti front-row lockout at the Indycar Grand Prix of Long Beach.
LONG BEACH–Kyle Kirkwood took his first pole of the season and third of his career as Andretti Global locked out the front row for the 50th Indycar Grand Prix of Long Beach.
Reigning Indycar champion and series points leader Alex Palou was on blazing form throughout the early stages of qualifying, but it was Kirckwood and his Andretti teammate Colton Herta who went fastest in the top six shootout.
"When you’re in an Andretti Global car at Long Beach, you know you’re going to be quick," said Kirkwood.
"You’ve got to be so happy with that, right? A front-row Andretti Global lockout here at Long Beach.
"I’m shaking. That was great. That was such a good lap, such a good qualifying. Fortunately, I didn’t put any wheel wrong or hit anything. That’s always a question here at street courses. You’ve got to send it to get that top spot."
It was Alex Palou, the winner of the first two races this year, who was fastest in the early stages of Fast Six with just over 30 seconds left in the session, but he was soon bested by Kirkwood with a lap of 1:06.1921 around the streets of Southern California.
His teammate Colton Herta then showed off his pace, jumping to second in the standings and leaving Palou third on the grid.
Kirkwood took his third career pole at the site of his first pole position in 2023, when he converted the qualifying result to a race win.
Kiwi Scott McLaughlin was sixth at the bottom of the fast six, with Marcus Armstrong narrowly missing out in the elimination round and qualifying seventh.
Aussie Will Power will start 13th, followed by Kiwi Scott Dixon in 14th.
The 50th running of the Indycar Grand Prix of Long Beach is underway at 6.30am AEST on Monday, with coverage on Stan Sport.
