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Scott McLaughlin earns pole for IndyCar season opener in St. Petersburg
Marcus Ericsson and Pato O'Ward round out the top three starting positions.
Mar. 3, 2026 at 4:07am
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IndyCar driver Scott McLaughlin secured the pole position for the season-opening race on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. McLaughlin will lead the field to the green flag, with Marcus Ericsson and Pato O'Ward starting second and third, respectively.
Why it matters
The IndyCar season opener in St. Petersburg is a highly anticipated event, as it marks the start of a new year of open-wheel racing in North America. Qualifying results often set the tone for the rest of the weekend and can have a significant impact on the final race outcome.
The details
McLaughlin, driving for Team Penske, set the fastest lap in qualifying to earn the pole position. Chip Ganassi Racing's Marcus Ericsson will start alongside him on the front row, while Arrow McLaren SP's Pato O'Ward rounds out the top three starting positions.
- The IndyCar season opener in St. Petersburg is scheduled for Sunday, March 2, 2026.
The players
Scott McLaughlin
An IndyCar driver competing for Team Penske.
Marcus Ericsson
An IndyCar driver competing for Chip Ganassi Racing.
Pato O'Ward
An IndyCar driver competing for Arrow McLaren SP.
What they’re saying
“I'm really proud of the effort from the entire Team Penske crew. We've been working hard in the offseason and it's great to see that pay off with the pole position.”
— Scott McLaughlin
“Starting on the front row is a great way to begin the season. We're ready to fight for the win on Sunday.”
— Marcus Ericsson
What’s next
The IndyCar season opener in St. Petersburg is scheduled for Sunday, March 2, 2026, with the green flag set to wave at 12:30 PM local time.
The takeaway
The starting grid for the IndyCar season opener in St. Petersburg is set, with Scott McLaughlin, Marcus Ericsson, and Pato O'Ward leading the field to the green flag. This race will be an early test for the top contenders in the 2026 IndyCar championship.
