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O’Ward Takes Nashville IndyCar Pole at 202.621 MPH for Season Finale

A fast surface plus persistent Turn 3–4 bumps shape expectations for Sunday’s 225-lap finale.

Overview

  • Pato O’Ward leads the grid ahead of David Malukas, with Christian Lundgaard third, Alex Palou fourth and Scott Dixon fifth after a two-lap average of 202.621 mph set the benchmark.
  • Arrow McLaren placed two cars in the top three as Lundgaard joined O’Ward near the front, underscoring the team’s strong oval form.
  • O’Ward also topped the lone practice session earlier on the harder tire, adding intrigue to race tire strategy after most rivals prepared on the softer compound.
  • Surface irregularities between Turns 3 and 4 unsettled cars in practice and qualifying, including a DeFrancesco brush with the wall that required a toe-link fix, though the qualifying session ran without major incidents.
  • Callum Ilott and Christian Rasmussen received nine-place grid penalties for unapproved engine changes, moving them back for the start of Sunday’s race.