Marcus Ericsson Claims Career-First IndyCar Pole in Texas

Ericsson will lead the field for Sunday's inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington

Mar. 15, 2026 at 7:44am

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NTT IndyCar Series driver Marcus Ericsson earned his first career IndyCar pole position on Saturday, setting the fastest lap time of 1 minute, 34.3562 seconds at 104.158 mph on the 2.73-mile, 14-turn street course in Arlington, Texas. Ericsson will lead the field for Sunday's inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington, with Alex Palou qualifying second.

Why it matters

Ericsson's pole position is a significant milestone in his IndyCar career, as he had been seeking his first pole since joining the series in 2013. The new street course event in Arlington provides an opportunity for increased exposure and excitement for the IndyCar Series in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

The details

Ericsson covered the circuit in 1 minute, 34.3562 seconds, just ahead of Alex Palou's 1:34.8180 lap. The qualifying format featured a Fast Six single-car session, which Ericsson said suited his driving style and the pressure of getting one shot at the pole. Palou, Ericsson's former teammate, was happy to see his friend and rival earn the pole, though he hopes to beat him in the race. The event start time was moved up to 11:17 a.m. CT on Sunday due to a high-wind forecast.

  • Ericsson covered the 2.73-mile, 14-turn street course in 1 minute, 34.3562 seconds.
  • The green flag will wave at 11:17 a.m. CT on Sunday, March 17, 2026.

The players

Marcus Ericsson

An NTT IndyCar Series driver who earned his first career pole position on Saturday.

Alex Palou

An NTT IndyCar Series driver who qualified second, just behind Ericsson.

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What they’re saying

“I didn't have much time to sit and think about it. It was just quick debrief with the engineers and then off you go. So I don't know if it helped me or not. I was very focused on just doing my lap and then it's a bit more pressure in a situation like this where you're sort of on your own and you get one shot at it. But I always liked that sort of pressure cooker.”

— Marcus Ericsson

“I have a great friendship with him, and I think he deserves it. He's a really good driver, so happy to see him there—hopefully not tomorrow, but happy to see him there today.”

— Alex Palou

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Ericsson's first career IndyCar pole position is a significant milestone in his career, showcasing his driving talent and ability to perform under pressure. The new street course event in Arlington provides an exciting opportunity for the IndyCar Series to grow its fanbase in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.