Team Penske NTT INDYCAR Series Qualifying Report - Long Beach

April 9, 2022

Track:  Streets of Long Beach
Race:   Grand Prix of Long Beach
Date:   April 9, 2022

No. 2 Hitachi Dallara/Chevrolet – Josef Newgarden
 
Second Practice:
Position: 13th
 
Qualifying:
Position: 2nd

 
No. 3 Snap-on Dallara/Chevrolet – Scott McLaughlin
Second Practice:
Position: 8th
 
Qualifying:
Position: 9th

 
No. 12 Verizon 5G Dallara/Chevrolet – Will Power
Second Practice:
Position: 3rd
 
Qualifying:
Position: 7th

Fastest Second Practice Time: 1:05.6520 (No. 28 – Romain Grosjean)
Fastest Qualifying Time: 1:05.3095 (No. 26 – Colton Herta)
 
Team Notes:  As anyone who has driven the freeways of southern California knows, it is hard to stay away from the traffic. That was also the case in the Saturday afternoon qualifying session for Sunday's Grand Prix of Long Beach. While it didn't affect Josef Newgarden, last year's NTT P1 Award winner who will start second tomorrow, it did play a factor in the time trial outcomes of both Scott McLaughlin and Will Power. In typical Newgarden fashion, the methodical American has been consistent all weekend before putting together another front-row starting position in the No. 2 Hitachi Chevrolet. McLaughlin looked to be in good shape to continue his strong start to the 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season before miscommunication with another competitor interrupted what could have been a lap to move the driver of the No. 3 Snap-on Chevrolet into the Firestone Fast Six for a run at the pole position. A similar instance happened on what would have been Power's fast lap of the second round, this time occurring in the hairpin after an accordion affect backed up several cars. While passing is at a premium around Long Beach, winning from anywhere in the first half of the field is a strong possibility. Since the 2012 race, three Long Beach winners have started outside the top 10.
 
Coverage on NBC, Peacock, INDYCAR Radio and Sirius XM Channel 209
Sunday, 3:00 p.m. ET: Grand Prix of Long Beach