Team Penske licking wounds after horrendous Thermal qualifying

The fickle and highly competitive state of IndyCar racing was on display during qualifying for The Thermal Club IndyCar Grand Prix. Team Penske earned pole position at the start of the month at St. Petersburg with Scott McLaughlin, but Saturday at Thermal wasn’t nearly as kind.

Josef Newgarden was the best of the Chevy-powered trio in 17th with the No. 2 car, and Will Power, IndyCar’s all-time best in qualifying, was surprised to find himself in 21st with the No. 12 machine. St. Pete’s best was the greatest shock of all as McLaughlin was slowest in the opening qualifying group, which relegated his No. 3 car to a starting position of 25th.

“We just weren’t quick,” Newgarden said. “All of us didn’t look fantastic in our group. I felt really good going into qualifying. Obviously, we have to find some speed now.”

Among the extended Penske-affiliated cars, AJ Foyt Racing’s David Malukas was the fastest of the quintet, earning 12th while teammate Santino Ferrucci was 14th as the Foyt cars made good use of their Penske setup information.

“I lacked a good out lap to get some good front tire temp,” Power said. “Man, we were good in every single session except the one that counted. When it came time to do it, it wasn’t there.”