2023 Honda Indy Toronto Qualifying Report
Toronto, Canada – Andretti Global continued its dominance at the Honda Indy Toronto as Colton Herta clinched pole position with a lap time of 59.832 seconds in the No. 26 Honda. Herta, the 2022 Toronto winner, expressed confidence in the strength of the team’s performance, stating, “We have a great car here… the cars are really just that good.”
Qualifying Results:
- Colton Herta (Andretti Global) – 59.832s
- Alex Palou (Chip Ganassi Racing) – 1:00.107s
- Marcus Armstrong (Meyer Shank Racing) – 1:00.353s
- Will Power (Team Penske) – 1:00.451s
- Graham Rahal (Rahal Letterman Lanigan) – 1:00.860s
- Kyle Kirkwood (Andretti Global) – 1:04.530s
Herta’s performance marked a significant advantage over championship leader Palou, who will join him on the front row. Armstrong achieved his season’s best qualifying position with third place, mentioning, “Honestly, the lap felt pretty average… The race tomorrow is going to be a completely different story.”
Power, representing Team Penske, managed a solid fourth but was the only driver from his extended team to reach the Firestone Fast 12.
Kirkwood, who had been the quickest in earlier rounds, faced a setback due to oversteer on his final lap, relegating him to sixth position. He expressed disappointment but maintained optimism for the race.
Championship implications were felt as Pato O’Ward, trying to close the gap to Palou, qualified 10th in the No. 5 Chevy. “I was hoping for a little bit more today," he said, acknowledging the unpredictability ahead.
Additionally, Graham Rahal’s effort mirrored a resurgence from previous races, allowing him to secure fifth. Fellow competitors like Rinus VeeKay (ninth) and Eriksson (eighth) also demonstrated competitive form heading into the race.
As the grid sets for the race, all eyes will remain on Herta and Palou, with the potential for strategic battles shaping their championship aspirations.
Notable Quotes:
- Colton Herta: "I need to get that first race win of the year tomorrow."
- Alex Palou: "Super proud of everybody’s work, super happy to be starting on the front row tomorrow."
The race promises an exciting contest, reflecting the high stakes and competitive spirit that define IndyCar racing.
