The NTT IndyCar Series concluded it’s qualifying session for the ‘Java House Grand Prix’ from Arlington, Texas on Saturday with Marcus Ericsson of Andretti Global capturing the pole for Sunday’s race. Astonishingly, this marks his first career pole award in the series following 116 starts in 13 years.
“I’ve waited long enough,” Ericsson said, smiling. “To finally get the pole, it means a ton.”
The session began with group one without any major mishaps. The No.10 of Alex Palou for Chip Ganassi Racing led the way by over three-tenths with a 01:33.7398 over the No.60 of Felix Rosenqvist.
Group 2 was when the hits began for some, highlighted by a crash for one of the fastest cars in the No.3 of Scott McLaughlin. The Team Penske driver clipped the inside wall in Turn eight and sustained heavy left front damage.
Trouble and damage for Scott McLaughlin in qualifying! 👀 pic.twitter.com/6yxl3IHqaM
— INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) March 14, 2026
The next driver to miss the cut was Arrow McLaren’s Christian Lungaard in ninth, and Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon one spot back. The No.27 of Kyle Kirkwood for Andretti would be fastest in the round.
The ‘Fast 12’ would show the biggest shock of the day, with the two fastest cars of the weekend in both Kirkwood and McLaughlin failing to advance to the next round. Palou would once again be quickest, ahead of the No.5 of Pato O’Ward who was the lone Chevy in the round.
The ‘Fast Six’ would conclude with Ericcson sitting on the pole with a lap of 01:34.3562, with Palou following behind with a 01:34.8180.
Official Results:
| Position | Car Number | Driver | Team | Best Time | Best Speed |
| 1 | 28 | Marcus Ericsson | Andretti Global | 01:34.3562 | 104.158 |
| 2 | 10 | Alex Palou | Chip Ganassi Racing | 01:34.8180 | 103.651 |
| 3 | 5 | Pato O’Ward | Arrow McLaren | 01:34.8453 | 103.621 |
| 4 | 26 | Will Power | Andretti Global | 01:35.0856 | 103.359 |
| 5 | 60 | Felix Rosenqvist | Meyer Shank w/ Curb-Agajanian | 01:35.1607 | 103.278 |
| 6 | 66 | Marcus Armstrong | Meyer Shank w/ Curb-Agajanian | 01:35.6012 | 102.802 |
| 7 | 27 | Kyle Kirkwood | Andretti Global w/ Curb-Agajanian | 01:33.8868 | 104.679 |
| 8 | 21 | Christian Rasmussen | ECR | 01:34.1440 | 104.393 |
| 9 | 12 | David Malukas | Team Penske | 01:34.2456 | 104.281 |
| 10 | 20 | Alexander Rossi | ECR | 01:34.3040 | 104.216 |
| 11 | 2 | Josef Newgarden | Team Penske | 01:34.3957 | 104.115 |
| 12 | 14 | Santino Ferrucci | A.J. Foyt Enterprises | 01:34.4898 | 104.011 |
| 13 | 45 | Louis Foster | Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing | 01:34.6639 | 103.82 |
| 14 | 8 | Kyffin Simpson | Chip Ganassi Racing | 01:34.7931 | 103.678 |
| 15 | 18 | Romain Grosjean | Dale Coyne Racing | 01:34.7199 | 103.759 |
| 16 | 4 | Caio Collet | A.J. Foyt Enterprises | 01:35.0300 | 103.42 |
| 17 | 47 | Mick Schumacher | Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing | 01:34.8391 | 103.628 |
| 18 | 7 | Christian Lundgaard | Arrow McLaren | 01:35.0760 | 103.37 |
| 19 | 19 | Dennis Hauger | Dale Coyne Racing | 01:34.8731 | 103.591 |
| 20 | 9 | Scott Dixon | Chip Ganassi Racing | 01:35.1306 | 103.311 |
| 21 | 76 | Rinus VeeKay | Juncos Hollinger Racing | 01:34.9196 | 103.54 |
| 22 | 6 | Nolan Siegel | Arrow McLaren | 01:35.2288 | 103.204 |
| 23 | 77 | Sting Ray Robb | Juncos Hollinger Racing | 01:36.1786 | 102.185 |
| 24 | 15 | Graham Rahal | Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing | 01:35.3159 | 103.11 |
| 25 | 3 | Scott McLaughlin | Team Penske | 01:38.6580 | 99.617 |
