P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The NTT IndyCar Series hit the streets of St. Petersburg on Saturday afternoon, and Josef Newgarden narrowly took the top
The tension was high until the last moments, as Josef Newgarden’s lap time edged out Felix Rosenqvist’s by just 0.006 seconds to claim pole position for the 2024 season opener. Despite not securing a pole in the previous season, the reigning Indy 500 champion delivered a blistering lap of 59.571 seconds, showcasing his prowess. Rosenqvist’s performance was laudable, almost securing a pole for his new team, Meyer Shank Racing, and even setting a track record at St. Pete with a time of 59.2706 seconds in the qualifying rounds. The Firestone Fast Six saw some surprises with Juncos Hollinger Racing joining the mix alongside Newgarden and Rosenqvist, with Romain Grosjean impressing by qualifying in fifth place in his debut race with JHR. Pato O’Ward and Colton Herta will make up the second row, while Marcus Ericsson rounded out the top six, setting up an exciting grid for the race. The challenges continue to mount as teams brace themselves for an unpredictable race day, with shifting winds expected to add yet another layer of difficulty to the demanding St. Pete street circuit.
