Colton Herta Secures Pole Position for Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach with Record-Breaking Lap
Colton Herta, the reigning champion of the IndyCar Grand Prix of Long Beach, delivered a masterful performance in Saturday’s qualifying session, not only clinching pole position but also establishing a new course record. Starting from 14th on the grid last year to win the prestigious event, Herta now finds himself in the prime starting spot, poised to defend his title from the very front.
Throughout all three demanding stages of qualifying, Herta showcased undeniable dominance. He led his group in the initial round, then continued his blistering pace to top the second round, leaving little doubt about his formidable speed. His final pole-setting lap, a blistering 1’05.310, was a testament to his skill and the raw performance of his machine. This remarkable time didn’t just earn him the top spot; it emphatically eclipsed Hélio Castroneves’ previous course record, set in 2017, by nearly a full second. Such a significant margin underlines Herta’s exceptional command over the challenging Long Beach street circuit, hinting at a strong challenge for victory on race day.
Grosjean’s Costly Crash Reshuffles the Front Row
The potential for an all-Andretti Autosport front row, with Herta leading the charge, was dramatically dashed in the final seconds of the Fast Six session. Romain Grosjean, who had shown incredible pace earlier in the morning’s practice session, suffered a high-profile crash into the barrier at turn five. The incident, occurring with just two seconds left on the clock, brought out a red flag. Although Grosjean managed to guide his wounded car back to the pits, the rules dictate that any driver causing a red flag in the Fast Six session loses their fastest lap time. This unfortunate turn of events saw Grosjean drop from a potential front-row start to sixth on the grid, a bitter pill to swallow after demonstrating such promising speed.
Grosjean’s misfortune, however, became Josef Newgarden’s gain. The winner of the previous race at Texas Motor Speedway, Newgarden was elevated to the outside of the front row, securing second position alongside Herta. This sets up an intriguing battle between two of IndyCar’s most competitive drivers right from the green flag, promising an electrifying start to Sunday’s main event.
Key Contenders and Surprises on a Packed Grid
The 2022 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach grid features a compelling mix of championship contenders, seasoned veterans, and determined challengers. Reigning IndyCar champion Álex Palou, who sealed his 2021 title at this very venue, will start from a strong third position. His experience and proven ability at Long Beach make him a significant threat from the second row, eager to add another victory to his illustrious record.
Just behind Palou is McLaren SP driver Felix Rosenqvist, who continues to demonstrate impressive consistency in qualifying, securing a solid fourth place. Rosenqvist has often shown flashes of brilliance, and starting from the second row provides him with an excellent platform to contend for a podium finish. Following him in fifth is two-time Long Beach winner Alexander Rossi, another Andretti Autosport driver. Rossi, still hunting for his first victory since 2019, will be keen to replicate his past successes on this circuit. Herta, in particular, will be looking to emulate Rossi’s rare feat of winning back-to-back Long Beach Grands Prix in 2018-19, adding another layer of intrigue to the team’s dynamics.
The competition remains fierce just outside the Fast Six. Will Power, who narrowly missed out on the final Fast Six berth by a mere one ten-thousandth of a second to Grosjean, qualified in seventh place. This incredibly tight margin underscores the hyper-competitive nature of IndyCar qualifying. Marcus Ericsson, a strong performer this season, secured eighth position, while championship leader Scott McLaughlin will start from ninth. Friday practice pace-setter Simon Pagenaud rounds out the top ten, ensuring a densely packed and exciting mid-field battle.
Mid-Field Intrigue and Rookie Watch
Further down the grid, the sixth row will be shared by two exciting talents: Pato O’Ward and top rookie Kyle Kirkwood, qualifying 11th and 12th respectively. O’Ward, a fan favorite and proven winner, will be looking to quickly advance through the field. Kirkwood’s performance as a rookie on such a demanding street circuit is commendable, signaling his potential for future success in the series.
The qualifying session also saw some notable drivers facing challenges. Graham Rahal unfortunately missed out on advancing to the second round of qualifying after being impeded by seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson. Johnson, enduring a tough weekend, finished last in Group One and will start 25th. His struggles were compounded by a broken bone in his right hand, sustained after an incident with the turn five wall during Friday practice. This injury undoubtedly impacted his performance and highlights the physical demands of street circuit racing.
IndyCar stalwarts Scott Dixon and Rinus VeeKay were also surprisingly eliminated during the first round of qualifying. Dixon, a multiple champion, will start 16th, an unusually low position for him, while VeeKay will line up just ahead in 15th. Both drivers will have their work cut out for them, needing to employ aggressive race strategies to climb through the field.
Penalties and Preparations for Race Day
Rookie Devlin DeFrancesco faces an additional hurdle, starting tomorrow’s race from 23rd position after receiving a six-place grid penalty prior to the weekend. This penalty was handed down for avoidable contact in the previous race at Texas, specifically for his role in a multi-car accident that involved himself, Graham Rahal, and Hélio Castroneves in the 375-mile event. Such penalties underscore the close scrutiny on driver conduct and the high stakes involved in every race. DeFrancesco will need to exercise immense patience and skill to recover from such a deep starting position.
The Long Beach Grand Prix circuit itself is a legend in motorsport, known for its tight corners, unforgiving concrete barriers, and challenging bumpy surfaces. Its history dates back decades, hosting Formula 1 before becoming an IndyCar staple. The close confines make overtaking difficult but not impossible, often leading to spectacular passes and inevitable caution periods. Strategy, tire management, and avoiding contact will be paramount for success on Sunday. With Colton Herta leading the field and a host of aggressive drivers behind him, the stage is set for a thrilling and unpredictable race.
Tomorrow’s 38th running of the prestigious Long Beach Grand Prix promises high-octane action and intense competition. The race is scheduled to begin at 8:45 PM BST, bringing the roar of IndyCar engines to the iconic streets of Long Beach for another unforgettable chapter in motorsport history.
| Position | Car | Driver | Team | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26 | Colton Herta | Andretti | Honda |
| 2 | 2 | Josef Newgarden | Penske | Chevrolet |
| 3 | 10 | Alex Palou | Ganassi | Honda |
| 4 | 7 | Felix Rosenqvist | McLaren SP | Chevrolet |
| 5 | 27 | Alexander Rossi | Andretti | Honda |
| 6 | 28 | Romain Grosjean | Andretti | Honda |
| 7 | 12 | Will Power | Penske | Chevrolet |
| 8 | 8 | Marcus Ericsson | Ganassi | Honda |
| 9 | 3 | Scott McLaughlin | Penske | Chevrolet |
| 10 | 60 | Simon Pagenaud | Meyer Shank | Honda |
| 11 | 5 | Pato O’Ward | McLaren SP | Chevrolet |
| 12 | 14 | Kyle Kirkwood | Foyt | Chevrolet |
| 13 | 15 | Graham Rahal | RLL | Honda |
| 14 | 6 | Helio Castroneves | Meyer Shank | Honda |
| 15 | 21 | Rinus VeeKay | Carpenter | Chevrolet |
| 16 | 9 | Scott Dixon | Ganassi | Honda |
| 17 | 20 | Conor Daly | Carpenter | Chevrolet |
| 18 | 18 | David Malukas | Coyne/HMD | Honda |
| 19 | 30 | Christian Lundgaard | RLL | Honda |
| 20 | 45 | Jack Harvey | RLL | Honda |
| 21 | 77 | Callum Ilott | Juncos Hollinger | Chevrolet |
| 22 | 51 | Takuma Sato | Coyne/RWR | Honda |
| 23 | 29 | Devlin DeFrancesco | Andretti Steinbrenner | Honda |
| 24 | 4 | Dalton Kellett | Foyt | Chevrolet |
| 25 | 48 | Jimmie Johnson | Ganassi | Honda |
| 26 | 11 | Tatiana Calderon | Foyt | Chevrolet |