In a breathtaking display of skill and nerves, Josef Newgarden claimed a sensational pole position for the highly anticipated IndyCar Detroit Grand Prix. His last-gasp effort in the intense Fast Six stage of qualifying secured the prime starting spot for Sunday’s race, marking a significant moment in what has proven to be an incredibly competitive season.
Newgarden, driving the formidable No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet, will lead a formidable field of 26 cars to the green flag for the 70-lap event. This race carries extra significance as it marks the final IndyCar Detroit Grand Prix to be held on the challenging and iconic Belle Isle Street Circuit. From next year, the prestigious race will relocate to a new, dynamic track in the International Riverfront district of downtown Detroit, ushering in a new era for the event.
The decisive moment came right as the checkered flag dropped, with Newgarden unleashing a blistering lap of 1 minute, 15.215 seconds. This incredible timing allowed him to snatch provisional pole from Takuma Sato, who had seemed destined for the top spot. Newgarden’s triumph underscores the unpredictable nature of the 2022 NTT IndyCar Series season, as he becomes the seventh different pole winner in just seven races, highlighting the depth of talent and the cutthroat competition among the teams and drivers.
Sharing the coveted front row with Newgarden will be the veteran Takuma Sato, piloting the No. 51 Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing Honda. Sato’s consistent speed throughout qualifying showcased his prowess on street circuits and sets him up perfectly for a strong challenge in the race. Directly behind them, the Meyer Shank Racing duo made a remarkable statement, securing the second row. Simon Pagenaud, in the No. 60 Honda, will start third, while his legendary teammate, Hélio Castroneves, driving the No. 06 Honda, qualified an impressive fourth, demonstrating the team’s potent package for the Detroit street course.
Further enhancing the top five, McLaren SP driver Pato O’Ward, behind the wheel of the No. 5 Chevrolet, will start fifth. O’Ward’s consistent front-running pace makes him a perennial threat, and his starting position puts him squarely in contention for victory. However, perhaps the most compelling story of the qualifying session was the remarkable performance of rookie David Malukas. Driving the No. 18 Dale Coyne Racing with HMD Motorsports Honda, Malukas defied expectations to make his first-ever appearance in the Fast Six, eventually ending up an impressive sixth on the grid. This standout performance comes just days after a controversial decision saw him miss out on the coveted Indy 500 Rookie of the Year award, adding an extra layer of motivation and proving his burgeoning talent in the series.
The grid continues to showcase the formidable talent pool of the IndyCar Series. Indianapolis 500 winner and current IndyCar Series points leader Marcus Ericsson will start eighth in his No. 8 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. Ericsson, who has been in stellar form, will share the fourth row with the ever-quick Colton Herta, piloting the No. 26 Andretti Autosport Honda, who qualified seventh. The fifth row promises an intriguing battle with an all-Scott lineup: six-time series champion Scott Dixon in the No. 9 Ganassi Honda lines up ninth, alongside his fellow countryman Scott McLaughlin in the No. 3 Team Penske Chevrolet, who qualified tenth. This grouping sets the stage for intense competition amongst championship contenders from two of the sport’s powerhouse teams.
The “silly season” in IndyCar has been a hot topic, and two of its major protagonists had eventful qualifying sessions. Alexander Rossi, who recently confirmed his move to McLaren SP for next season, will start 11th in the No. 27 Andretti Autosport Honda, a solid if unspectacular run for the former Indy 500 winner. Romain Grosjean, however, endured a far more dramatic session. A heavy crash through turns 12 and 13 brought round two of qualifying to an abrupt halt. The resulting red flag led to the deletion of his two fastest laps, a costly penalty that relegated the No. 28 Andretti Autosport Honda driver to 12th on the grid. Grosjean’s incident highlights the unforgiving nature of Belle Isle and the fine line between pushing the limits and overstepping them on a challenging street circuit.
Another key figure in this week’s transfer market, Kyle Kirkwood, also had a rollercoaster day. After leading the way in the first practice session, signaling strong potential, the No. 14 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet driver crashed out of second practice earlier today. Despite a minor injury to his right hand, Kirkwood is set to participate in an IMSA SportsCar Championship race tonight before returning to compete in tomorrow’s Detroit Grand Prix, starting from 15th position. His multi-discipline commitments and resilience underscore the demanding schedule and dedication of top-tier motorsport athletes.
Further back in the field, several drivers faced challenges and penalties. Felix Rosenqvist, driving the No. 7 McLaren SP Chevrolet, was penalized during round one of qualifying for impeding Jimmie Johnson as the NASCAR legend exited pit lane for his crucial final attempt. As a result, Rosenqvist’s fastest laps in the session were deleted, forcing him to start from the penultimate row of the grid in 25th. Meanwhile, Dalton Kellett did not participate in qualifying after a heavy crash at the very end of second practice. Compounding his woes, Kellett, in the No. 4 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet, also carries a six-place grid penalty for an unapproved engine change at the recent Indy 500, meaning he will start from the very back of the pack in 26th position. These incidents emphasize the high stakes and precision required in every session of an IndyCar weekend.
The 2022 Detroit Grand Prix promises to be a thrilling and historic event, marking the end of an era for the Belle Isle Street Circuit. With such a diverse qualifying outcome, the 70-lap race is expected to deliver fierce competition, strategic gambles, and potentially unpredictable outcomes. All eyes will be on Josef Newgarden as he leads the field, but with a grid packed with champions, rising stars, and drivers seeking redemption, the fight for victory will be intense from the moment the green flag waves. The green flag for the Detroit Grand Prix is scheduled for tomorrow at 20:45 BST, setting the stage for an unforgettable race.
Grand Prix of Detroit qualifying results
| Position | Car | Driver | Team | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | Josef Newgarden | Penske | Chevrolet |
| 2 | 51 | Takuma Sato | Coyne/RWR | Honda |
| 3 | 60 | Simon Pagenaud | Meyer Shank | Honda |
| 4 | 6 | Helio Castroneves | Meyer Shank | Honda |
| 5 | 5 | Pato O’Ward | McLaren SP | Chevrolet |
| 6 | 18 | David Malukas | Coyne/HMD | Honda |
| 7 | 26 | Colton Herta | Andretti | Honda |
| 8 | 8 | Marcus Ericsson | Ganassi | Honda |
| 9 | 9 | Scott Dixon | Ganassi | Honda |
| 10 | 3 | Scott McLaughlin | Penske | Chevrolet |
| 11 | 27 | Alexander Rossi | Andretti | Honda |
| 12 | 28 | Romain Grosjean | Andretti | Honda |
| 13 | 20 | Conor Daly | Carpenter | Chevrolet |
| 14 | 21 | Rinus VeeKay | Carpenter | Chevrolet |
| 15 | 14 | Kyle Kirkwood | Foyt | Chevrolet |
| 16 | 12 | Will Power | Penske | Chevrolet |
| 17 | 77 | Santino Ferrucci | Juncos Hollinger | Chevrolet |
| 18 | 10 | Alex Palou | Ganassi | Honda |
| 19 | 30 | Christian Lundgaard | RLL | Honda |
| 20 | 45 | Jack Harvey | RLL | Honda |
| 21 | 29 | Devlin DeFrancesco | Andretti Steinbrenner | Honda |
| 22 | 48 | Jimmie Johnson | Ganassi | Honda |
| 23 | 15 | Graham Rahal | RLL | Honda |
| 24 | 11 | Tatiana Calderon | Foyt | Chevrolet |
| 25 | 7 | Felix Rosenqvist | McLaren SP | Chevrolet |
| 26 | 4 | Dalton Kellett | Foyt | Chevrolet |
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