A 2025 championship contender, Patooward was surprised by his performance in qualifying at Portland’s IndyCar Grand Prix.
Fastest in Group 1 early in the session, O’Word appeared throughout the qualifying as one of the top runners of the top spot, despite considering not returning to previous practice sessions.
On Fast Six’s interim pole, O’Ward was beaten to P1 by teammate Christian Lundgaard, but Dane is in seventh place after an unapproved engine change left him to the grid.
While it’s a blessing to lead the pack for the race, O’Word seemed visibly confused by the outcome.
“It’s a bit of a surprising qualification considering where we were actually,” O’ward began.
“We are still leaving and trying to make it better (there are a lot of changes in the year).
“Chris (Lundgaard) did an incredible job of getting the fastest lap times there, but he went back to it in all three qualifying sessions.
“I’m very happy with it and the car just brought it to life. I really have no explanation.”
During both practice sessions, O’ward seemed to lack the perfect pace his competitors had, practicing one in 9th place and two in 11th place.
Lundgaard was actually the fastest, but before practicing, he chose a new engine and finished in 7th place in the session.
Oward made a difference in the session and could have helped with changes in the setup, reflecting after qualifying what was instead focused on tires.
“We didn’t actually change anything from practice, but sometimes that’s the story of these Firestone tires,” O’ward explained.
“I am pleased with this amazing qualifying session and we will lead the field to the green.
“(I’m) so proud of the team and all the hard work we’re working on because it was our toughest road course last year.”
O’ward finished 15th in last year’s Portland Grand Prix and finished 13th.
Nolan Siegel, who will start Sunday’s race on the 18th, finished 21st in 2024.
In the fight to keep his championship alive, O’ward will begin four places in front of Alex Pallow, who will close out this weekend’s championship.
Palow, who scored 121 points, will have to leave this weekend with a 108-point lead to take the championship home from Portland, but has now got off to a bad start so far.
Palou will be fifth in the sixth and final sixth place.
Originally he was fourth in the session, but was locked up on Turn 12, causing Champion Elect to enter the wall.
I pulled out the time in the yellow Palou’s knee and removed it, demoting him to the back of the field.
If O’Word wins and Palou finishes fifth, the championship will roll to Milwaukee.