Pato O’Ward has done a lot in INDYCAR. Nine wins. Title fights. A reputation as one of the quickest hands in the paddock.
But he’s never turned a pole into victory.
That’s the one gap on his record. And it’s the box he’s desperate to tick in Sunday’s season-ending Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix presented by WillScot.
“I’ve never won a race from pole,” O’Ward said. “That’s on my to-do list this weekend.”
O’Ward delivers
The No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet looked dialled in from practice, and O’Ward carried that speed straight into qualifying. His two-lap average of 202.621 mph secured the NTT P1 Award.
It’s his second pole of 2025 after Thermal. His seventh career pole overall. And importantly, his first on an oval.
“The car was great,” he said. “Felt really comfortable in practice and didn’t give me any scares. Very good.”
Malukas denied again
David Malukas thought it was his day. The A.J. Foyt Enterprises driver put up a 201.922 mph average and held provisional pole with just a handful of cars left.
Only O’Ward’s late flyer beat it.
It was a near-repeat of Milwaukee last week, where Malukas lost out at the very end to Alex Palou. That makes two straight weekends of coming up just short of a maiden pole.
McLaren momentum, Ganassi pressure
O’Ward wasn’t the only McLaren smiling. Christian Lundgaard took third at 201.713 mph his best ever oval qualifying. For a driver who’s built his career on road and street circuits, it marked a genuine step.
Behind, Ganassi still looked menacing. Alex Palou, the reigning champion, was the last man to roll and the only threat left. His 201.603 mph wasn’t enough. Scott Dixon slotted fifth at 201.437 mph, carrying the memory of his Nashville three-peat from 2006–08.
Local hero in row three
Josef Newgarden will have the home crowd on his side. The Nashville native and two-time champion starts sixth at 201.390 mph. Not quite the front row, but he’s still lurking.
Moments on the edge
A smooth session on paper, but not without tension. Several drivers trimmed close to the walls on exit as the concrete Nashville oval kept grip levels low. No major incidents, but plenty of sideways glances in pit lane as teams judged how aggressive to run their out-laps.
Sunday setup
So it comes down to this. O’Ward has second place in the championship secured. The big crown belongs to Palou.
But an overdue win from pole? That’s still there to be taken.
The 225-lap finale starts 2 p.m. ET Sunday (FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX One, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio Network).