Penske Dominates Barber Qualifying, Pourchaire in Rear

After a “push to pass” scandal, Penske leads the pack at Barber, with rookie Pourchaire starting at the back.

Following the scandal of illegal “push to pass” usage, Team Penske rebounded at Barber with Scott McLaughlin and Will Power securing the front row for tonight’s start.

The day after Penske’s penalties post-Long Beach were announced, the American team’s drivers responded on track by dominating the Alabama Grand Prix qualifying at the Barber road circuit.

Last year’s winner on this track, New Zealander McLaughlin (pictured above) clocked the fastest time in the “Firestone Fast Six” just ahead of teammate Power, with less than a tenth separating the two.

Impressive performances followed from Rahal’s Danish driver Christian Lundgaard, the top Honda representative and fastest in the “Fast Twelve” (equivalent to Q2 in the States), who will start from the second row alongside championship leader Pato O’Ward (McLaren).

Also qualifying in the top 6, Long Beach pole-sitter Felix Rosenqvist (MSR) will share the third row with Ganassi’s top finisher, the young Marcus Armstrong.

Penske’s third driver, Josef Newgarden, will settle for a spot on the fourth row next to Graham Rahal, with Kyle Kirkwood (Andretti), and Alex Palou (Ganassi) rounding out the top 10 ahead of Romain Grosjean (Juncos), followed by top rookie Tom Blomqvist (MSR) and Long Beach winner Scott Dixon (Ganassi).

Highly anticipated after his Long Beach feat, rookie Théo Pourchaire (McLaren) will start 24th, just behind fellow newcomer Luca Ghiotto (Coyne), who is 21st on the grid.

Penske Rebounds at Barber, Pourchaire Trails. Penske Rebounds at Barber, Pourchaire Trails

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