Pato O’Ward powers to a blistering 202.621 mph pole for IndyCar Nashville finale

With the oval’s surface changes upsetting several drivers through qualifying, O’Ward’s fastest lap was even more impressive

Pato O'Ward might not be able to take home the NTT IndyCar Series title this year. But with the runner-up championship result in hand, the Mexican star has a new accomplishment to chase in the season finale at Nashville Superspeedway.

“I’ve never won a race from pole,” O’Ward said Saturday. “That’s on my to-do list this weekend.”

O’Ward laid down a two-lap qualifying time of 47.2607s, completed at a blistering average speed of 202.621 mph, to claim the pole for the Borchette Bourbon Music City Grand Prix. The result is O’Ward’s third pole of 2025, and first on an oval.

Patricio O'ward, Arrow McLaren

Photo by: Penske Entertainment

The 26-year-old entered qualifying as a favorite to take the top spot, having led the day’s earlier practice session. He put together two smooth laps to make it happen, avoiding any issues with the notorious bumps in turns 3 and 4 of the 1.33-mile oval.

“(The) car was great, felt really comfortable in practice and didn’t give me any scares or anything,” O’Ward said. “I was happy with that. Very good.”

Felix Rosenqvist, Meyer Shank Racing

Photo by: Penske Entertainment

For the second-straight week, David Malukas had to settle for second after holding the top spot into the closing minutes of qualifying. The Chicagoan’s 201.922 mph average withstood multiple late tests, but fell well short of O’Ward’s rapid pace. He was knocked off of a maiden pole by Alex Palou’s final effort last weekend at the Milwaukee Mile.

Christian Lundgaard will roll off third, giving Arrow McLaren two of the top-three starters for the season finale. Lundgaard will be trying to overtake Scott Dixon for third in the championship standings. The pair were separated by just seven points entering the weekend.

Christian Lundgaard, Arrow McLaren

Photo by: Penske Entertainment

Alex Palou will join Lundgaard in the second row, rolling off fourth on a day where he’s guaranteed to hoist up the Astor Cup as series champion. Dixon wrapped up the top-five in qualifying, with Josef Newgarden, Nolan Siegel, Scott McLaughlin, Callum Ilott and Kyffin Simpson wrapping up the top 10.

There were no crashes or major issues during the session. The only setbacks will go to Ilott and Milwaukee winner Christian Rasmussen, who will endure nine-place grid penalties for unapproved engine changes ahead of the race weekend.

The IndyCar field will return to the 1.33-mile oval for high-line and final practice at 4:30 p.m. ET, with coverage on FS2. The Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix will go live on FOX Sunday at 2:00 p.m. ET.