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Arrow McLAREN Big Machine Music City Grand Prix: Qualifying Report

"We can all race forward from where we're starting"

Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team logo

Practice, qualify, practice, with some rain in between.

The rain showers wouldn't stop the Saturday party at Nashville Superspeeedway. The Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team had mixed results on the 1.33-mile oval, now looking toward Sunday's 206-lap season finale.

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES' 17th race of the season, will see Pato O'Ward starting eighth, Alexander Rossi in 26th and Nolan Siegel in 27th.

Hear from Pato, Nolan, Alexander and Team Principal Gavin Ward before Sunday's race. 

Race Date Sunday, September 15
Rounds 17 of 17
Total Laps 206 Laps
Total Race Distance 267.8 miles / 430.98 km
Length 1.33 miles / 2.14 km
Number of Turns 4
Pato O'Ward
Practice 1 199.180 mph 4th 29 laps
Qualifying Result 200.294 mph 8th  
Starting Position   8th  
Final Practice 193.533 mph 5th 21 laps

"It was a long day today. We qualified eighth, and Final Practice was… well, we did not get so much running in. But, I think we are in a decent spot with our car where, you know, we can get creative on how to make our way forward."

Alexander Rossi
Practice 1 197.653 mph 13th 39 laps
Qualifying Result 198.060 mph 20th  
Starting Position   26th  
Final Practice 187.306 mph 21st 23 laps

"It was a tough day. We had something happen in qualifying, and combined that with the engine penalty, we will start in the back. So, hopefully, we can makes something exciting happen tomorrow."

Nolan Siegel
Practice 1 190.728 mph 27th 5 laps
Qualifying Result No Time 27th  
Starting Position   27th  
Final Practice 185.468 mph 24th 14 laps

"Overall, it was very tough day. I made a mistake in Practice 1 that forced us to change engines, so we were faced with an engine penalty. Then, we weren't able to qualify anyway. Rossi and I are starting in the back, so we'll move to the front together tomorrow."

Gavin Ward, Team Principal, Arrow McLaren, said:

"It was a long day but a mixed day. It was a shame to have the incident with Nolan, but it was good he got some laps in after the weather cleared so he can go into the race and know what he's got. Rossi unfortunately has the grid penalty and seemed to miss some balance in qualifying, so we've got work to do on two cars. Pato is in a good spot starting eighth and in a place to get to the front. I think he's got a good race car, and I think we can all race forward from where we're starting."

Session Times

Tune In Sunday, September 15 3:00 p.m. ET NBC
Green Flag Sunday, September 15 3:30 p.m. ET NBC

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