Alex Palou continued his run as the IndyCar driver to beat in 2025, capturing pole position for Sunday’s 2025 Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio with a rapid lap of 1:05.0215s.
The Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) standout edged out Christian Lundgaard of Arrow McLaren by just under two tenths, further cementing his advantage in this year’s IndyCar championship as he chases a remarkable seventh victory in ten races. The Spaniard’s third pole of the year signals a shift in fortunes for a team that once struggled to start at the front.
“Ever since I started with CGR, we’ve had great cars,” Palou reflected after qualifying at Mid-Ohio. “But I would say we’ve always struggled qualifying up front, so this year has been phenomenal. The speed we have in the cars in every single race track where we show up, it’s been amazing.”
Chip Ganassi’s Strength and New Faces at the Front
The duel for pole at Mid-Ohio quickly became a two-man race between Palou and Lundgaard. While the Arrow McLaren driver led his group and put up a fierce challenge in the Fast 12, he ultimately fell .1911s short in the final shootout.
Series sophomore Kyffin Simpson added more shine to Ganassi’s day by making his first-ever appearance in the Fast Six and securing a career-best third on the grid, although still .734s adrift of his teammate.
Nolan Siegel surprised many by grabbing a personal best fourth for Arrow McLaren, showing that the team’s next generation of talent is quickly arriving. Colton Herta rounded out the top five for Andretti, while Louis Foster continued his eye-catching rookie campaign by locking down the final Fast Six spot.
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Late action in the Fast 12 added drama, with Foster briefly topping the times before Palou and Lundgaard responded. Simpson’s final effort not only elevated himself but also edged out Chip Ganassi rival Kyle Kirkwood by mere hundredths, forcing the championship contender to settle for seventh.
Scott Dixon and Christian Rasmussen completed the top 10, while Marcus Ericsson and Alexander Rossi rounded out the Fast 12 — a welcome recovery for Ericsson after a crash in the morning practice.
Team Penske Falters While Field Stacks Up
A notable subplot on Saturday was the continued struggles of Team Penske. All three drivers — Josef Newgarden, Scott McLaughlin, and Will Power — failed to advance past the group stages, an unusual and frustrating result for one of IndyCar’s traditional powerhouses. Newgarden managed only 18th in his group, while McLaughlin and Power will start from the back in 21st and 22nd.
“I was just getting held up,” McLaughlin lamented. “You get into a bad spot, you have to back off. You can’t use the tire at the right spot. I’m really bummed for the Odyssey Battery team. I genuinely feel like it should’ve been easy to transfer there.”
What time is IndyCar Mid-Ohio 2025?
Fans will want to set their alarms for Sunday, as the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio gets underway at 1:00 p.m. ET. With the field tightly bunched behind Palou and the threat of unpredictable Mid-Ohio conditions, it’s set up to be a must-watch race as the title battle intensifies.
Where to watch IndyCar Mid-Ohio 2025?
The Honda Indy 200 will be broadcast live in the United States on FOX. International viewers can catch all the action through their local rights holders or via the official IndyCar streaming platforms, ensuring fans everywhere do not miss a moment as Palou, Lundgaard, and the rest of the grid jostle for supremacy on one of America’s most beloved road courses.
