Colton Herta Secures Pole Position for Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto
Toronto, Canada – Colton Herta dominated the qualifying session for the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto, setting a blistering time of 59.8320 seconds. This marks Herta’s third pole at the Toronto street course and his second consecutive pole in street racing this season, following a similar performance in Detroit. Notably, Andretti Autosport drivers have now captured three out of four pole positions in the street circuit races this year.
"We have a great car here, it’s plain and simple," Herta remarked. "I like to think it’s because we’re better than everybody else, but the cars are really just that good."
Completing the front row is Alex Palou, who qualified second, maintaining his stellar form as he approaches what could be his fourth series title in a dominant season. Marcus Armstrong surprised competitors by qualifying third, marking a season-best for Meyer Shank Racing and continuing his run of top-10 finishes in seven of the last eight races.
Will Power and Graham Rahal rounded out the top five, while Kyle Kirkwood, aiming for consecutive street race poles, settled for sixth after a near-wreck hampered his final qualifying attempt.
"We definitely just gave away a pole," Kirkwood expressed. "It’s unfortunate. Just feels like I’ve thrown away poles left and right on street courses."
Qualifying Highlights
In the Fast 12 session, Kirkwood was the only driver to break the minute barrier, clocking in at 59.9069 seconds. Other notable qualifiers included Herta, Rahal, Palou, and Armstrong.
Louis Foster’s brief top-six placement was upended by Rahal, who ultimately secured fifth. The top ten concluded with Marcus Ericsson, Rinus Veekay, Pato O’Ward, Scott Dixon, and Callum Ilott. Dixon’s run ended prematurely after contact with the wall, while Ilott expressed frustration over losing qualifying time to yellow flags triggered by other drivers.
Ilott commented, "It’s frustrating… when you’re two seconds off because every lap you come through and there’s a yellow."
Kirkwood and Power advanced after comfortably securing times under one minute, while Armstrong led the second group, narrowly edging out Veekay and Palou.
As the IndyCar field prepares for race day, Herta’s performance sets a competitive tone heading into the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto, scheduled to begin at noon ET on FOX, following the warm-up session at 8:30 a.m. ET on FS1. The event promises to be an exciting showdown as the season progresses toward its conclusion.
