Pato O’Ward showed his remarkable speed during the qualifying session for the IndyCar Grand Prix at The Thermal Club on March 23, 2025, securing pole position with a breathtaking lap of 1:39.9567 seconds. This outstanding performance marks a significant turnaround for O’Ward after a disappointing 23rd place finish in the preceding race at St. Petersburg on March 2.
Having made crucial adjustments to his car, the Mexican driver pushed his No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet to its limits. “I knew if we could get the car to my liking, I would get it done. Just made a little bit of an adjustment and as soon as we went out in Q2, I said, ‘I’ve got this,’” he remarked after the qualifying session. O’Ward’s achievement was the sixth pole of his IndyCar career and his first since the 2022 Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio.
Joining O’Ward on the front row was his teammate Christian Lundgaard, who clocked in at 1:40.1245 to claim second place. This marked the first time Arrow McLaren managed to secure both front row positions in this prestigious racing series. Lundgaard expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, acknowledging his strong effort throughout the event.
In the following positions were Alex Palou, who finished third with a time of 1:40.3092. Palou had previously recorded the fastest lap of the weekend at 1:39.5933 during the earlier qualifying rounds, but strategic tire management from his team saw him hold back during the final segment to save his alternate tires for the race. Palou explained that he was instructed to back off as O’Ward had clearly established a considerable lead.
Colton Herta and Marcus Ericsson filled out the third and fourth positions on the grid, with Alexander Rossi securing sixth after employing a strategy that only saw him complete one flying lap in the final round. Louis Foster made headlines as the only rookie to advance to the final qualifying round, finishing in tenth place.
The qualifying results, however, were not as promising for Team Penske. Their trio—Josef Newgarden, Will Power, and Scott McLaughlin—struggled greatly, failing to move past the first qualifying round and ending up with the 17th, 21st, and 25th starting positions, respectively. In contrast, Robert Shwartzman faced significant challenges throughout the weekend and ended up in 27th place, with his best lap times lagging at over 1.5 seconds slower than his rivals.
Fans were eager for the race day, set to begin at noon local time, which will feature 65 laps around the challenging 3.067-mile course laid out on a natural terrain road. This was the first time the Thermal race counts towards the season-long championship, heightening the stakes for both drivers and teams. A $1 million exhibition race was previously run on the freshly designed track last March, with Palou emerging victorious then.
As the morning warm-up sessions took place, prominent names like Marcus Ericsson, Colton Herta, and Pato O’Ward showcased their skills, navigating the corners and preparing for the challenging race ahead. The excitement was palpable as the teams made their final preparations, each keenly aware of the opportunities and challenges that race day would present.
“This will be a thrilling race,” expressed an enthusiastic fan. “With so much unpredictability, everyone will have to bring their A-game.” Indeed, as fans found their spots along the track, anticipation for what was unfolding was at an all-time high.
The intricate interplay of strategy, skill, and speed promises to deliver an exhilarating race, with each driver vying for the coveted checkered flag. The stage is set, and as engines roar to life, the thrill of the IndyCar Grand Prix at The Thermal Club is ready to unfold.
