Christian Lundgaard looks to start a streak of his own, aiming for a win from pole at Mid-Ohio to follow up his Road America last-to-first victory. Lundgaard captured his first pole since 2024 and will start up front at Mid-Ohio on Sunday, looking for his third road course victory of the year.
With rumors linking both IndyCar legend Scott Dixon and reigning Indianapolis 500 champion Felix Rosenqvist to seats at McLaren, Lundgaard's ride becomes a place of contention. He's driving to prove a point he feels has already been proven. "I think everybody knows," Lundgaard replied when asked if he felt he was driving for a seat. "I think everybody knows my ability so. I don't need to say more than that."
View Price on AmazonTwo weeks ago, Lundgaard had problems on lap one at Road America and fell to the back of the field on the opening lap, he rebounded for his second win of the season. He looks forward to having an easier path to a potential win this weekend. "I like this more," Lundgaard told IndyCar on FOX. "This is way more fun. No, it's been a while. It's been since last year in Portland, when we had the engine penalty. Chevy's done an amazing job all year with us, obviously. We've gotten two wins now, so we're going to carry that momentum, but it's just awesome to have a 1-2. We got to go finish the job."
Lundgaard's last pole didn't lead to a front-row start, as an engine penalty cost him six grid positions two years ago at Portland International Raceway, putting his last first-place start in Toronto in 2023. Lundgaard topped Saturday morning practice ahead of the delayed qualifying session.
Lundgaard will be joined on the front row with his teammate Pato O'Ward for the first all-McLaren front row since the 2025 points race at The Thermal Club. O'Ward captured the pole, and Lundgaard started second. The McLaren front row will be followed by the former driver of the No. 12 Penske and the current driver of said Verizon-clad Chevrolet, as Will Power qualified third and David Malukas fourth.
Christian Rasmussen advanced to the fast six for the first time this year to qualify fifth ahead of Rinus Veekay. Lundgaard's pole came after the shocking second-round exit of Alex Palou, who was on a five-race pole streak heading into Mid-Ohio. With less than a tenth of a second separating the top 10 drivers in the Round of 12, Palou was just one of a few favorites for pole to be knocked out surprisingly early, as Kyle Kirkwood fell as well. Palou will start eighth and Kirkwood tenth.
Source: roadandtrack.com
