Ericsson breaks through with first career pole at Java House Grand Prix of Arlington
By Mike Haag, Raceday San Antonio
ARLINGTON, Texas – Marcus Ericsson captured his first career pole position in 117 starts in the NTT IndyCar Series on Saturday, winning the NTT P1 Award for the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington.
Mar 14, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Andretti Global driver Marcus Ericsson (28) drives during qualifying for the inaugural 2026 NTT IndyCar Series Java House Grand Prix of Arlington Photo Credit: Michael C. Johnson
Driving the No. 28 InPwr Honda for Andretti Global, the Swedish driver recorded a lap of 1 minute, 34.3562 seconds during the Firestone Fast Six to earn the top starting spot for Sunday’s 70-lap race on the new Arlington street circuit. He was the first driver on track in the new one-lap, single-car qualifying format, which inverted the finishing order from the previous round so the slowest driver went first and the fastest went last. Despite five competitors still to run, none could match Ericsson’s pace around the 14-turn, 2.73-mile temporary street course.
Mar 14, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Pole winner Andretti Global driver Marcus Ericsson (28) answers questions from the media after qualifying for the inaugural 2026 NTT IndyCar Series Java House Grand Prix of Arlington Photo Credit: Michael C. Johnson
“I’ve waited long enough; I can tell you that,” Ericsson said. “I think 2013 was the last pole I had. I feel like this is a giant thing for me because of that. Two-hundredths of a second away at St. Pete.”
Alex Palou, the defending and four-time series champion, qualified second with a lap of 1:34.8180 in his No. 10 DHL Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing. Palou was the final driver to attempt a lap after being the fastest among the 12 drivers in the second round of qualifying.
“It was a lot of work,” Palou said. “It was exciting to see what we could do on this Fast Six. It was obviously the first goal we had today was to try to get to Fast Six. It’s been very close throughout the field, and you had to nail all the laps. Yeah, happy with a P2. Just a huge margin. Hopefully it’s because of tire temp, but it’s great to see, as well, so many Hondas up front. Seeing Marcus standing up front. It’s good.”
Mar 14, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Chip Ganassi Racing driver Alex Palou (10) answers questions after qualifying for the inaugural 2026 NTT IndyCar Series Java House Grand Prix of Arlington Photo Credit: Michael C. Johnson
Pato O’Ward will start third after posting a lap of 1:34.8453 in the No. 5 Chevrolet for Arrow McLaren. Veteran Will Power will join him on the second row with a time of 1:35.0856 in the No. 26 Honda for Andretti Global.
“I am very pleased with that qualifying,” O”Ward said. “My goal was to get to the Fast Six and have a shot at it. In practice too we were not able to complete our laps to really show our true pace. But if I was to bet where we were going to qualify, I would have bet on third. I’m shocked that Kirkwood didn’t make it. He was my bet for fourth, but his sister car did. Congratulations to Marcus and his first pole in INDYCAR. I’m ecstatic for tomorrow.”
Mar 14, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Arrow McLaren driver Pato OÕWard (5) drives during qualifying for the inaugural 2026 NTT IndyCar Series Java House Grand Prix of Arlington Photo Credit: Michael C. Johnson
Teammates from Meyer Shank Racing secured the third row, with Felix Rosenqvist qualifying fifth and Marcus Armstrong sixth. Honda-powered entries dominated the session overall, claiming six of the top seven spots on the grid.
Ericsson almost did not advance to the Fast Six. He was sixth fastest in his opening qualifying group (the final transfer position) and only secured the spot by knocking teammate Kyle Kirkwood out of the second round with a late lap.
“I want to shout out my pit crew here,” said Ericsson, whose previous best qualifying effort had been second place three times, including earlier this season at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. “We were all over the place in Q1, but in Q2 and Q3 they improved the car. It’s just amazing.”
Mar 14, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Team Penske driver Josef Newgarden (2) drives during qualifying for the inaugural 2026 NTT IndyCar Series Java House Grand Prix of Arlington Photo Credit: Michael C. Johnson
Several championship contenders struggled during qualifying. Series leader Josef Newgarden crashed in practice Saturday morning in his No. 2 PPT Team Penske Chevrolet and had to switch to a backup car before qualifying. Newgarden was eliminated in the second round and will start 11th.
Teammate Scott McLaughlin faces an even tougher climb Sunday after crashing in the opening round and qualifying last in the 25-car field.
Kirkwood, who is second in points, was the quickest in the early morning practice session. He will start seventh in the No. 27 JM Bullion/Gold.com Honda for Andretti Global. Rounding out the top 10 qualifier are Christian Rasmussen, David Mulakas and Alexander Rossi,
Sunday’s race marks the debut of the Arlington street event, a collaboration between Penske Entertainment, the Dallas Cowboys and REV Entertainment. The circuit winds through the sports complex surrounding AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field, creating one of the most unique venues on the IndyCar calendar. The race start was moved earlier due to forecasted high winds in North Texas, with the green flag scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday.
To view a NTT Indy Car Series qualifying photo gallery: click here.
