GT Racing News: Santino Ferrucci Claims Maiden IndyCar Pole at Portland
Portand, OR – September 3, 2023 In a remarkable display of speed and strategy, Santino Ferrucci has secured his maiden IndyCar Series pole position for the Grand Prix of Portland. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the consistent efforts of AJ Foyt Racing to revive their fortunes in the highly competitive world of IndyCar racing.
Ferrucci, who joined AJ Foyt Racing at the start of the 2023 season, has been instrumental in the team’s resurgence. After a challenging 2022 campaign that saw the organization struggle, the partnership between Ferrucci and the legendary AJ Foyt Racing has produced a strong 2024 season, with the driver sitting 10th in the championship standings and boasting seven top-10 finishes in the 13 previous rounds.
Ferrucci’s qualifying performance of 58.2046 seconds around the 12-turn, 1.964-mile Portland International Raceway has not only earned him pole position but has also delivered AJ Foyt Racing their first pole since Takuma Sato’s triumph at Belle Isle (Race 2) back in 2014. The unique aspect of Ferrucci’s outing was his strategic decision to remain in the pit stall during the initial half of the six-minute Fast Six qualifying session before charging out on a set of softer alternate (red sidewall) tires.
“There were a couple of strategy things involved,” Ferrucci explained. “I think I’ll say a lot has to do with the fuel situation here in Portland. We’ve just run a lot today. We really only had one run. Just wanted to make it count. That was kind of the plan.”
AJ Foyt Racing President Larry Foyt, who also serves as Ferrucci’s race strategist, expressed his delight at the team’s accomplishment.
“It’s huge,” Foyt said. “I think you can just see how happy everybody is because, a couple years ago, it was a struggle. We’ve just kept building this team, kept adding better people. It’s led to all this.”
Ferrucci’s future with the team remains uncertain, as AJ Foyt Racing recently announced the signing of current Meyer Shank Racing pilot David Malukas for the 2025 season. However, the driver views this pole position as a testament to the progress made by the organization over the past two years.
“It’s been a very interesting two years,” Ferrucci said. “Me and Larry have worked really well together. That news [signing Malukas] is honestly a huge stepping stone for the team. There’s a lot behind that. Obviously, for me, it’s a bit of an unknown.”
As the IndyCar Series heads to the Pacific Northwest for the 110-lap race on Sunday, Ferrucci and AJ Foyt Racing will look to capitalize on this pole position and continue their ascent in the championship standings.
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