Palou Shines and Secures First Pole Position of the Year in Barber.

Álex Palou Claims First Pole Position of 2025 IndyCar Season at Barber Motorsports Park

In a thrilling qualifying session at Barber Motorsports Park, Álex Palou once again proved why he is the driver to beat in the 2025 IndyCar season. His stunning lap time of 1:07.2918 during the final moments of the Firestone Fast Six secured him his first pole position of the year and the seventh of his career. The excitement of the session, held on May 3, 2025, saw the pole position change hands multiple times in the closing seconds, showcasing an incredibly competitive field.

As the clock ticked down, Palou’s performance shone through in a dramatic battle that included Scott McLaughlin, Colton Herta, and Will Power. Each driver demonstrated exceptional skill, with the lead swapping four times in the last 40 seconds of the qualifying round. Palou’s record-breaking lap not only earned him the pole but also underscored his dominance in the series.

Reflecting on his performance, Palou expressed his excitement: “It was an incredible day for car #10. This track holds a special place for us; it’s where I secured my first Indy win in 2021. My initial lap wasn’t great, but I managed to put together a perfect second lap with the alternate tires. Now, we need to focus on the race.”

Starting from the pole position, Palou aims for his first victory at Barber since his initial triumph with the Chip Ganassi Racing team. With two wins out of the three races this season and a second-place finish in the other, he currently holds a 34-point lead in the championship standings over Kyle Kirkwood, who is currently in second place.

Scott McLaughlin, the two-time reigning champion of the Alabama race, initially looked poised to claim the pole, having led earlier in the session. However, he ultimately settled for second place with a time of 1:07.4387, just 0.1469 seconds off Palou’s pace. Colton Herta qualified third with a time of 1:07.4576, while Will Power rounded out the top four, achieving his best qualifying position of the season with a time of 1:07.5616.

Another noteworthy performer during the session was Rinus VeeKay, who returned to the Fast Six for the first time since he secured pole at Barber in 2022. The Dale Coyne Racing driver qualified fifth with a time of 1:07.9103, marking a significant achievement in his season.

A surprising standout was young Nolan Siegel from McLaren, who achieved a personal best starting position of sixth with a time of 1:08.0470. This marked Siegel’s first appearance in the Fast Six since joining the series midway through the previous season, highlighting his growth and potential in the competitive environment of IndyCar racing.

However, the session was not without disappointments for some prominent drivers. Kyle Kirkwood, who had previously celebrated a victory in Long Beach after starting from the pole, found himself facing challenges and will start the race from 18th position. Scott Dixon, a six-time IndyCar champion, faced a tough outing, going off track during the final moments of the first qualifying round and finishing 26th out of 27 cars—his worst qualifying position since 2021.

The upcoming race at Barber Motorsports Park is set for Sunday, May 4, 2025, with a total of 90 laps to be completed on the 3.7-kilometer circuit, which features a challenging 17 turns. Fans can watch the race live at 2:30 PM (Brasilia time) on TV Cultura and streaming on Disney+.

Official Qualifying Results for the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix at Barber Motorsports Park – May 3, 2025

• Session: Qualifying | Round 4 | 2.3 miles | NTT INDYCAR SERIES
• Chassis: D = Dallara | Engine: C = Chevy, H = Honda | Tires: F = Firestone