Marcus Ericsson of Andretti Global earned a front-row starting spot by qualifying second for the opening race of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. With the season kickoff at this challenging street circuit in Florida, Ericsson’s performance signals his intent to rebound strongly after a difficult 2025.
Strong Rookie Showing and Competitive Qualifying Field
Entering IndyCar in his first start, rookie Dennis Hauger impressed by clinching third place behind Ericsson, marking an outstanding debut for the 2025 INDY NXT champion driving the #19 Dale Coyne Racing Honda. Hauger’s lap time was a mere three hundredths of a second shy of pole position, showcasing his immediate competitiveness in the series.
Alex Palou, the reigning four-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion with Chip Ganassi Racing, qualified fourth. Palou, a Spaniard, won at St. Petersburg last year from eighth on the grid to ignite a dominant 2025 campaign that included eight victories and the Indy 500 title. His presence near the front underscores his continued threat in the championship fight.
Dale Coyne Racing Marks Strong Qualifying Performance
In addition to Hauger’s breakthrough, teammate Romain Grosjean reached the Firestone Fast Six, taking sixth place. This achievement represents two Dale Coyne Racing cars in the final qualifying round for the first time since Detroit 2022. Grosjean praised the team’s preparation and collaboration with Honda, noting a productive pre-season test and a strong weekend pace.
Key Honda Drivers Among Top Qualifiers
Honda-powered cars dominated the top ten qualifiers, including Marcus Armstrong in seventh, the 2025 Rookie of the Year Louis Foster in ninth, and Kyffin Simpson completing the top ten. This highlights Honda’s continued strength on the St. Petersburg streets, where the brand has a celebrated history of success.
Qualifying Results Overview
- 2nd Marcus Ericsson
- 3rd Dennis Hauger (Rookie)
- 4th Alex Palou
- 6th Romain Grosjean
- 7th Marcus Armstrong
- 9th Louis Foster
- 10th Kyffin Simpson
- 11th Felix Rosenqvist
- 13th Will Power
- 15th Kyle Kirkwood
- 16th Scott Dixon
- 18th Graham Rahal
- 21st Mick Schumacher (Rookie)
(R = Rookie)
Drivers Share Their Perspectives Following Qualifying
Marcus Ericsson reflected on his qualifying performance:
“I’ve worked really hard this off-season. The whole #28 Honda crew has put in the hours and we’ve had a really good pre-season. To come to St. Pete—one of my favorite places on the calendar—and kick it off with a qualifying performance like this and be starting from the first row tomorrow feels great. The team did a great job, Honda did a great job as usual, and we have all the power we need to go win tomorrow.”
– Marcus Ericsson, Andretti Global driver
Dennis Hauger expressed enthusiasm about his debut qualifying:
“Can’t ask for much more in my first qualifying session! I mean, it could have been pole—we were only three hundredths off so it was pretty close—but I’m super happy. The team did an amazing job. I think we started a bit on the back foot, but we really turned it around. I felt pretty good in the first run and then we just kept the momentum going from there.”
– Dennis Hauger, Dale Coyne Racing driver
Romain Grosjean also shared his satisfaction:
“This is awesome for Dale Coyne Racing, for Dennis, and for myself. We had a good pre-season test, and this has been a strong weekend for us so far. We’ve been working with Honda and getting the most out of the car and the data that we have. I’m happy, it’s great to be back in the Fast Six in my return to IndyCar.”
– Romain Grosjean, Dale Coyne Racing driver
Honda’s Enduring Legacy at St. Petersburg
Honda-powered entries have claimed victory in 12 of the 21 NTT INDYCAR SERIES races held at St. Petersburg since the event was reinstated in 2005. The inaugural race was highlighted by Dan Wheldon leading a Honda-and-Andretti Green Racing sweep of the top four positions. Recent champions including Alex Palou started their dominant seasons with wins at this venue, emphasizing Honda’s power and reliability on these streets.
Previous Honda winners at St. Petersburg include notable drivers such as Marcus Ericsson in 2023, Colton Herta in 2021, Sebastian Bourdais in 2017 and 2018, Dario Franchitti in 2011, Will Power in 2010, Ryan Briscoe in 2009, Graham Rahal in 2008, and Helio Castroneves in both 2006 and 2007. This record reinforces Honda’s critical role in shaping the competition’s landscape.
Broadcast and Viewing Information
The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will air live on Fox starting at 12:00 PM ET on race day. Fans can also listen to comprehensive flag-to-flag race coverage via the INDYCAR Radio Network and SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation (Channel 160). Honda Racing Corporation’s social media channels provide additional updates and behind-the-scenes content throughout the weekend.
Outlook for the Season Ahead
Marcus Ericsson’s front-row qualifying places him as a leading contender to jumpstart his 2026 championship campaign, viewed as a comeback after struggles in 2025. Meanwhile, Dennis Hauger’s remarkable debut foreshadows a promising rookie season ahead. With multiple Honda-powered drivers positioned strongly at the start, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg promises a fiercely competitive race that may set the tone for the entire NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.
