David Malukas officially shed his “runner-up” reputation on Saturday, storming to his first career NTT IndyCar Series pole for the Good Ranchers 250. Now piloting the #12 Chevrolet for Team Penske, the 24-year-old Chicago native averaged 175.383 mph over two laps at Phoenix Raceway to claim the top spot.
“Finally, I’m just so happy,” Malukas told FOX Sports, referencing a string of second-place qualifying efforts last season. “The track moved in our favor a bit… it feels so good.”
The Top Grid Positions
Malukas managed to outpace his veteran teammate and two-time Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden, who secured an all-Penske front row with a speed of 174.548 mph.
The second row features a resurgence from Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL). Despite his car getting loose on the final stretch, Graham Rahal clocked a 173.993 mph average to take third. He is joined by rookie teammate Mick Schumacher, who impressed in his oval debut by qualifying fourth at 173.667 mph.
Mid-Pack Struggles for Champions
It was a uncharacteristically quiet day for the heavy hitters at Chip Ganassi Racing. Last week’s winner and defending champion Alex Palou could only muster the 10th fastest time (172.980 mph), while six-time champion Scott Dixon will start a distant 15th.
Pato O’Ward looked to be a contender for the front row until a difficult second lap dropped his average to 173.344 mph, leaving him in 7th.
Disaster for Power and Rosenqvist
The session was marred by a heavy hit for Will Power. The Andretti Global driver lost the rear of his #26 Honda in Turn 3, backing into the wall. While Power confirmed he avoided broken bones, he admitted to being “pretty sore” and uncertain about his status for the race. He is currently slated to start 24th.
Felix Rosenqvist will round out the field in 25th. His Meyer Shank Racing crew was unable to repair his primary car in time for the session following a crash during morning practice.
Phoenix IndyCar Starting Grid
Qualifying: March 6, 2026; Race: March 7, 2026
|
POSITION
|
BEST SPEED
|
BEST TIME
|
BEHIND
|
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
D. Malukas #12
|
41.053
|
Winner
|
||
|
2 |
J. Newgarden #2
|
41.249
|
0.196
|
||
|
3 |
G. Rahal #15
|
41.381
|
0.328
|
||
|
4 |
M. Schumacher #47
|
41.459
|
0.406
|
||
|
5 |
S. McLaughlin #3
|
41.511
|
0.458
|
||
|
6 |
A. Rossi #20
|
41.525
|
0.472
|
||
|
7 |
P. O’Ward #5
|
41.536
|
0.483
|
||
|
8 |
R. Veekay #76
|
41.559
|
0.506
|
||
|
9 |
N. Siegel #6
|
41.620
|
0.567
|
||
|
10 |
A. Palou #10
|
41.623
|
0.570
|
||
|
11 |
K. Kirkwood #27
|
41.648
|
0.595
|
||
|
12 |
S. Robb #77
|
41.731
|
0.678
|
||
|
13 |
M. Armstrong #66
|
41.755
|
0.702
|
||
|
14 |
M. Ericsson #28
|
41.772
|
0.719
|
||
|
15 |
S. Dixon #9
|
41.843
|
0.790
|
||
|
16 |
L. Foster #45
|
41.903
|
0.850
|
||
|
17 |
C. Lundgaard #7
|
41.966
|
0.913
|
||
|
18 |
C. Rasmussen #21
|
41.973
|
0.920
|
||
|
19 |
K. Simpson #8
|
41.997
|
0.944
|
||
|
20 |
R. Grosjean #18
|
42.151
|
1.098
|
||
|
21 |
S. Ferrucci #14
|
42.210
|
1.157
|
||
|
22 |
D. Hauger #19
|
42.398
|
1.345
|
||
|
23 |
C. Collet #4
|
42.947
|
1.894
|
||
|
24 |
W. Power #26
|
||||
|
25 |
F. Rosenqvist #60
|
||||
