O'Ward grabs 3rd starting spot for Java House Grand Prix of Arlington

Chevrolet drivers qualify well for inaugural NTT INDYCAR SERIES race in Arlington

Mar. 15, 2026 at 4:23am

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Pato O'Ward, driving the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, will start the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington from the inside of the second row after qualifying third. Several other Chevrolet-powered drivers, including Alexander Rossi, Josef Newgarden, and Christian Rasmussen, also qualified well for the new street race in Arlington, Texas.

Why it matters

This race marks the first-ever NTT INDYCAR SERIES event held in Arlington, and Chevrolet drivers have shown strong pace throughout the weekend. Qualifying well is crucial on a new street circuit, where passing can be difficult, so Chevrolet's performance puts its drivers in a good position to contend for the win in the inaugural Java House Grand Prix.

The details

Pato O'Ward was the only Chevrolet driver to advance to the Firestone Fast Six, where he qualified third with a lap of 94.8453 seconds. Alexander Rossi, Josef Newgarden, and Christian Rasmussen all made it through to the Fast 12, with Rossi qualifying 10th, Newgarden 11th, and Rasmussen 8th. Scott McLaughlin, who was fastest in Friday practice, had an incident in qualifying that will force him to start 25th.

  • Pato O'Ward's third-place qualifying lap was set during the Firestone Fast Six session.
  • Alexander Rossi, Josef Newgarden, and Christian Rasmussen advanced to the Fast 12 from the first group of qualifying.
  • Scott McLaughlin's incident occurred in Turn 8 during the second group of qualifying.

The players

Pato O'Ward

Drives the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet and will start the race from third position.

Alexander Rossi

Drives the No. 20 ECR Java House Chevrolet and qualified 10th.

Josef Newgarden

Drives the No. 2 PPG Team Penske Chevrolet and qualified 11th.

Christian Rasmussen

Drives the No. 21 ECR Java House Chevrolet and qualified 8th.

Scott McLaughlin

Drives the No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet and will start 25th after an incident in qualifying.

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What they’re saying

“I do. I am very pleased with that qualifying.”

— Pato O'Ward, Driver, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet

“Qualifying went well, but I don't think we necessarily lived up to what we had in practice.”

— Christian Rasmussen, Driver, No. 21 ECR Java House Chevrolet

“We were struggling on these red tires, so, we knew after the group one, it was a struggle for us.”

— David Malukas, Driver, No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet

“I think it's going to be a pretty chaotic race, so there are going to be a lot of positions gained just from not making mistakes and keeping your nose clean.”

— Alexander Rossi, Driver, No. 20 ECR Java House Chevrolet

“Very proud of the work by the PPG Chevy crew to get the backup car ready to qualify. Trust me, that is no easy feat, but they make it look like it is.”

— Josef Newgarden, Driver, No. 2 PPG Team Penske Chevrolet

What’s next

The Java House Grand Prix of Arlington is scheduled for Sunday, with the race start time moved up due to impending high winds. A warm-up session will also take place earlier in the day.

The takeaway

Chevrolet drivers have shown strong pace all weekend at the inaugural NTT INDYCAR SERIES race in Arlington, with Pato O'Ward leading the way by qualifying third. Despite some challenges, several other Chevy-powered cars will start the race in the top 10, putting them in a good position to contend for the win in this new and exciting street course event.