IndyCar Texas starting lineup: Felix Rosenqvist captures first oval pole of career

FORT WORTH, Texas — Felix Rosenqvist will lead the starting lineup of an NTT IndyCar Series oval race to the green flag for the first time.

The Arrow McLaren SP driver qualified first Saturday at Texas Motor Speedway with a 221.110 mph two-lap average in his No. 7 Dallara-Chevrolet around the 1.5-mile oval, nipping Scott McLaughlin by 0.003 seconds.

It was the first pole position since the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course in May 2019 for Rosenqvist, who had to endure a wait nearly as agonizing Saturday. After being the 11th driver to make a qualifying attempt, Rosenqvist finally was confirmed as the session’s fastest when McLaughlin completed his two laps as the 27th and final driver.

TEXAS QUALIFYING: Click here for speeds from Saturday’s session

“It was a bit of a torture to watch that thing unfold,” said Roseqnvist, who is coming off a disappointing winless 2021 season after breaking through for his first victory in ’20. “It feels really good. I think for the whole Arrow McLaren SP Team and the 7 car in general, it couldn’t have been better timing to get this pole.

“It was just so hard to wait for so long to get it.  This is huge for the team and for myself as far as a big confidence boost. Big comeback after some tough times. I am really pleased for everyone on my team to get this result. It’s awesome. So now we will just switch focus to the race and see what we can do.”

The moment @FRosenqvist earned his second career NTT @INDYCAR SERIES pole.