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CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIES Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix1.33-mile Nashville Superspeedway tri-oval Lebanon, Tennessee Saturday Qualifying ReportJuly 18, 2026
LEBANON, Tennessee (July 18, 2026) – Josef Newgarden, in the No. 2 Astemo Team Penske Chevrolet missed out on a hometown pole at the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix by less than five-hundredths of a second (0.21mph) over the 2.66-miles of qualifying. Five of the top nine drivers over the pair of laps on the 1.33-mile Nashville Superspeedway tri-oval were Chevrolet-powered, with Scott McLaughlin (No. 3 Odyssey Battery Team Penske Chevrolet), Alexander Rossi (No. 20 ECR Java House Chevrolet), Christian Rasmussen (No. 21 Splenda Chevrolet) and Rinus VeeKay (No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet) joining Newgarden in the first five rows of the grid. After a crash 20 minutes into practice this morning, David Malukas in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet was unable to make a qualifying attempt. Team Penske will have more updates on Malukas. 
Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix qualifying resultsWhat They’re Saying – Qualifying – Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Astemo Team Penske Chevrolet qualified 2nd:“That was certainly close to what we felt in practice. We felt like we had a good car right away, and I think we did what we could there. I hope that’s enough, but if it’s not, that’s what we had then, and we’ll go into the race with it. I think we’re going to at least be up towards the front, which is really positive for this No. 2 team and this is Astemo Chevy. Proud of the effort. We just we showed up really good. My mindset is the same everywhere, whether you’re at Indianapolis or you’re here, or you’re at Long Beach, you’re expected to do a great job everywhere, so it feels the same to me. But it’s nice to sleep in my own bed. I can say that.”Scott McLaughlin, No. 3 Odyssey Battery Team Penske Chevrolet qualified 3rd:“I had a bobble every lap, every corner, so I don’t know, if good enough to be a pole. In terms of grip position and see where we end up. I’ll just keep doing laps, and hopefully we can move up a couple of spots and help our championship position. It was fun.  That’s hard-to-find grip here, and it’s pretty nerve-racking. It’s always nerve-racking qualifying in an INDYCAR but, like, you know, with the heat and the temperatures change all the time. I thought the guys did a really good job.”
Alexander Rossi, No. 20 ECR Java House Chevrolet qualified 6th:“We just didn’t get the balance right and it wasn’t very well executed from my side. I think (his pace) is just a testament to the inherent speed in the Java House Chevy to be able to be quickest so far with a pretty messy run. Disappointed with it, because I think there is potential on the table if we do a couple of things differently. As we all know, it’s going to be a long race tomorrow, and a whole lot to play for with the alternate tires. It will be a great show. Just a little disappointed right now.”
Christian Rasmussen, No. 21 Splenda Chevrolet qualified 7th:“It was a good run, I wasn’t quite happy with the balance that we had in practice. Man, that can really put a dampener on weekends like this because you just have to roll out and be quick. ECR boys did a great job of turning the Splenda Chevy around and giving me something good for qualifying. I really had no remarks. I stayed flat both laps. The balance was pretty good. We’ll see how it holds up, but for now, we know that we’re not last, so that’s good Looking forward to seeing what we can do in the race tomorrow.”
Rinus VeeKay, No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Chevrolet qualified 9th:“We’re competing in IndyCar, so things change every year. You’re definitely on your toes, and I would say the car’s quite a bit different than last year from what I’ve seen. Feels good, though. Handles well, even in this extreme heat. I think that was a very comfortable car to drive, and the speed was very consistent. So, uh, happy with that, and I think, uh, you know, qualifying is one thing, but we have 300 laps of racing, which that’s going to be our focus to get the car to handle as well as possible out there. 
Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet qualified 12th:
What were you looking for in the handling of your car during qualifying? “Something faster. We’re slow this weekend. We’re really slow. The balance of the car wasn’t too bad. We’ve been lacking speed in general, so I’m not really sure what’s happening or going on. How important does that make the practice this evening? “We need a good, strong car, in race trim. If you can get by people. turn your race around to the positive. But so far, we were a bit on the back foot in practice one, we got very little running in, and it was feeling pretty “bad”. Then, obviously, qualifying was, I wouldn’t say it was worse than practice. I think it was maybe a little bit better. But it’s still sub-par where I believe we’ve been here in the past.”
Nolan Siegel, No. 6 NTT DATA Arrow McLaren Chevrolet qualified 13th:“That was a good run. Very similar to practice for us. Good balance, flat all the way around. So, um, I think that’ll hold up decently well. It tough going at the beginning. Um, but hopefully some good data to give our teammates so they can go a little better towards the end of the line. I feel like that was pretty close to the best we could have done given where we were going.”
Caio Collet, No. 4 Combitrans Amazonia Chevrolet qualified 15th:“I think it was a clean run, specially the first lap, I think we dropped a bit too much on the second lap, and the average was not as good as we hoped for. But I think the car is feeling really, really good, and hopefully we can just tune in a couple of things in this practice later on today and be in a good place for tomorrow’s race.”
Santino Ferrucci, No. 14 Homes For Our Troops Chevrolet qualified 11th:“I think Chevrolet has  done a great job to optimize the run. I’m proud of our engineering team. I think the car’s been really solid since we rolled out. Should be good for the race. “
Christian Lundgaard, No. 7 VELO Arrow McLaren Chevrolet qualified 19th:“Obviously, in P1, it’s all qual trims and got cut short from the David (Malukas) accident. So, just very disappointed with that. That’s pretty much it.”
Sting Ray Robb, No. 77 Juncos Hollinger – Goodheart Chevrolet qualified 21st: “I think it was an okay run for us. The downforce levels throughout the day here are going to be the name of the game. I think we were just maybe a little bit too draggy, but, I mean, two flats, car flat, driver flat, whatever you’re going to call it. The bump is better than it was in the last couple years, so I was happy to see that. They’ve making improvements on the track here because of that. I think it’ll allow us to run side by side a little bit better. I know that last year there was a few cars that got a little sideways over the bump when trying to fight for position, but I think that we’re going to have a better chance to do well in the race here. Happy with the car. I think that we’re going to need to find the balance and downforce level. And obviously, when we come back to the race, completely different racetrack.”
David Malukas, No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet did not qualify.


Josef Newgarden watches qualifying on pit road at the Nashville SuperspeedwayNTT INDYCAR SERIES News ConferenceSaturday, July 18, 2026Josef NewgardenPress Conference
THE MODERATOR: We’ll wrap-up qualifying TODAY. Currently joined by Nashville’s own Josef Newgarden. Second front-row start of the season. Second front-row start here at Nashville Superspeedway as well. Ironically, it’s the same front row from the 2024 race.Josef, congratulations. A good start to the weekend for you guys.
JOSEF NEWGARDEN: Yeah, it’s good. I think we did what we could today. Go got a good view point for tomorrow, which is great, with the Astemo car.
THE MODERATOR: What did you learn from practice this morning, if anything?JOSEF NEWGARDEN: Not so much outside of qualifying, to be honest. I’ll know more tonight. It’s really critical to get through high line and P2, then understand what the car is really doing. I don’t have much more to draw from or glean from yet until we get to the second session.
THE MODERATOR: We’ll take some questions.
Q.  Josef, does not knowing who will be in the 12 car affect you at all as team preparations or is it hoping David is back?JOSEF NEWGARDEN: Yeah, I just hope we have Dave in the car. I mean, I just heard about this. I didn’t even know there was potential for that.
I don’t think it will affect our program, but I would just like to see Dave obviously get time tonight and make sure we can get him comfy for tomorrow. That’s the preferred outcome.
Q.  Do you feel much different with the hybrid reduction at this oval race?JOSEF NEWGARDEN: Feels very similar. Honestly, no different than last year for the boring answer. Really no difference.
Q.  400-mile race distance. Does this change the mindset? Does it become like an Indy 500 or something totally different?JOSEF NEWGARDEN: Another boring answer. I really don’t think it does. I think it was a great show here last year. You were there yesterday when I was speaking about this onstage. That’s how I feel about it.
This is a great oval to showcase INDYCAR racing for people. The only way I look at it is they get more of it, more action, a little longer format. I don’t think it will dramatically change the way we approach it.
Obviously the pit stops will be different. There will be a slight difference on the strategy. I don’t foresee a big change in our philosophy, if you will.
Q.  I understand that you have less downforce on the car. What did they do? Did they take out the diffuser at the back?JOSEF NEWGARDEN: They just trimmed the rear wing. Your maximum angle has been reduced by basically a (indiscernible). That’s the big change.
Q.  Does that make the car skittish?JOSEF NEWGARDEN: Not really. None of these things, they shouldn’t alter the race dramatically. The front tire is slightly different. INDYCAR’s goal was to keep the style of race from last year similar. These micro-adjustments, the small downforce adjustment, hybrid, et cetera, it’s not going to alter things much. It’s not going to alter it much from what we’ve seen so far.
Q.  I understand this is the third time at Nashville they’ve had an alternate tire. You have to run two sets. How does that tire feel? Is there a difference?JOSEF NEWGARDEN: There is. Similar to a road and street course. You get an offset, for sure.
Q.  You grew up in this climate. In some ways does it help because you know what July days are like in Middle Tennessee?JOSEF NEWGARDEN: For me, being the local expert, it’s a big advantage. Very big advantage. I understand this humidity better than anybody. It’s unique. It is musical. You have to have a rhythm to the humidity, the race (smiling).
Yeah, it’s great to be from here. It’s going to help me in the race. I think so…That’s a great question, Bruce.
I qualified second, so no one cares. Got to have fun (smiling).
THE MODERATOR: Congratulations.
JOSEF NEWGARDEN: Talk to Kyle. Bye (smiling).
Tune-In Guide
Sunday, July 19Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix (Pre-Race Show) – 4:30pm (ET)/3:30pm (CT)/2:30pm (PT)/1:30pm (PT) – FS1Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix (300 laps)– 5:30pm (ET)/4:30pm (CT)/3:30pm (MT)/2:30pm (PT) – FOX/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218 
Team Penske teammates Josef Newgarden (right) and Scott McLaughlin (left) celebrate a win and third place finish in the 2025 Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix 
CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIESBorchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix1.33-mile Nashville Superspeedway tri-ovalLebanon, TennesseeSaturday Qualifying ReportJuly 18, 2026
LEBANON, Tennessee (July 18, 2026) – Josef Newgarden, in the No. 2 Astemo Team Penske Chevrolet missed out on a hometown pole at the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix by less than five-hundredths of a second (0.21mph) over the 2.66-miles of qualifying. Five of the top nine drivers over the pair of laps on the 1.33-mile Nashville Superspeedway tri-oval were Chevrolet-powered, with Scott McLaughlin (No. 3 Odyssey Battery Team Penske Chevrolet), Alexander Rossi (No. 20 ECR Java House Chevrolet), Christian Rasmussen (No. 21 Splenda Chevrolet) and Rinus VeeKay (No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet) joining Newgarden in the first five rows of the grid. After a crash 20 minutes into practice this morning, David Malukas in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet was unable to make a qualifying attempt. Team Penske will have more updates on Malukas. 
Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix qualifying resultsWhat They’re Saying – Qualifying – Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Astemo Team Penske Chevrolet qualified 2nd:“That was certainly close to what we felt in practice. We felt like we had a good car right away, and I think we did what we could there. I hope that’s enough, but if it’s not, that’s what we had then, and we’ll go into the race with it. I think we’re going to at least be up towards the front, which is really positive for this No. 2 team and this is Astemo Chevy. Proud of the effort. We just we showed up really good. My mindset is the same everywhere, whether you’re at Indianapolis or you’re here, or you’re at Long Beach, you’re expected to do a great job everywhere, so it feels the same to me. But it’s nice to sleep in my own bed. I can say that.”Scott McLaughlin, No. 3 Odyssey Battery Team Penske Chevrolet qualified 3rd:“I had a bobble every lap, every corner, so I don’t know, if good enough to be a pole. In terms of grip position and see where we end up. I’ll just keep doing laps, and hopefully we can move up a couple of spots and help our championship position. It was fun.  That’s hard-to-find grip here, and it’s pretty nerve-racking. It’s always nerve-racking qualifying in an INDYCAR but, like, you know, with the heat and the temperatures change all the time. I thought the guys did a really good job.”
Alexander Rossi, No. 20 ECR Java House Chevrolet qualified 6th:“We just didn’t get the balance right and it wasn’t very well executed from my side. I think (his pace) is just a testament to the inherent speed in the Java House Chevy to be able to be quickest so far with a pretty messy run. Disappointed with it, because I think there is potential on the table if we do a couple of things differently. As we all know, it’s going to be a long race tomorrow, and a whole lot to play for with the alternate tires. It will be a great show. Just a little disappointed right now.”
Christian Rasmussen, No. 21 Splenda Chevrolet qualified 7th:“It was a good run, I wasn’t quite happy with the balance that we had in practice. Man, that can really put a dampener on weekends like this because you just have to roll out and be quick. ECR boys did a great job of turning the Splenda Chevy around and giving me something good for qualifying. I really had no remarks. I stayed flat both laps. The balance was pretty good. We’ll see how it holds up, but for now, we know that we’re not last, so that’s good Looking forward to seeing what we can do in the race tomorrow.”
Rinus VeeKay, No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Chevrolet qualified 9th:“We’re competing in IndyCar, so things change every year. You’re definitely on your toes, and I would say the car’s quite a bit different than last year from what I’ve seen. Feels good, though. Handles well, even in this extreme heat. I think that was a very comfortable car to drive, and the speed was very consistent. So, uh, happy with that, and I think, uh, you know, qualifying is one thing, but we have 300 laps of racing, which that’s going to be our focus to get the car to handle as well as possible out there. 
Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet qualified 12th:
What were you looking for in the handling of your car during qualifying? “Something faster. We’re slow this weekend. We’re really slow. The balance of the car wasn’t too bad. We’ve been lacking speed in general, so I’m not really sure what’s happening or going on. How important does that make the practice this evening? “We need a good, strong car, in race trim. If you can get by people. turn your race around to the positive. But so far, we were a bit on the back foot in practice one, we got very little running in, and it was feeling pretty “bad”. Then, obviously, qualifying was, I wouldn’t say it was worse than practice. I think it was maybe a little bit better. But it’s still sub-par where I believe we’ve been here in the past.”
Nolan Siegel, No. 6 NTT DATA Arrow McLaren Chevrolet qualified 13th:“That was a good run. Very similar to practice for us. Good balance, flat all the way around. So, um, I think that’ll hold up decently well. It tough going at the beginning. Um, but hopefully some good data to give our teammates so they can go a little better towards the end of the line. I feel like that was pretty close to the best we could have done given where we were going.”
Caio Collet, No. 4 Combitrans Amazonia Chevrolet qualified 15th:“I think it was a clean run, specially the first lap, I think we dropped a bit too much on the second lap, and the average was not as good as we hoped for. But I think the car is feeling really, really good, and hopefully we can just tune in a couple of things in this practice later on today and be in a good place for tomorrow’s race.”
Santino Ferrucci, No. 14 Homes For Our Troops Chevrolet qualified 11th:“I think Chevrolet has  done a great job to optimize the run. I’m proud of our engineering team. I think the car’s been really solid since we rolled out. Should be good for the race. “
Christian Lundgaard, No. 7 VELO Arrow McLaren Chevrolet qualified 19th:“Obviously, in P1, it’s all qual trims and got cut short from the David (Malukas) accident. So, just very disappointed with that. That’s pretty much it.”
Sting Ray Robb, No. 77 Juncos Hollinger – Goodheart Chevrolet qualified 21st: “I think it was an okay run for us. The downforce levels throughout the day here are going to be the name of the game. I think we were just maybe a little bit too draggy, but, I mean, two flats, car flat, driver flat, whatever you’re going to call it. The bump is better than it was in the last couple years, so I was happy to see that. They’ve making improvements on the track here because of that. I think it’ll allow us to run side by side a little bit better. I know that last year there was a few cars that got a little sideways over the bump when trying to fight for position, but I think that we’re going to have a better chance to do well in the race here. Happy with the car. I think that we’re going to need to find the balance and downforce level. And obviously, when we come back to the race, completely different racetrack.”
David Malukas, No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet did not qualify.


Josef Newgarden watches qualifying on pit road at the Nashville SuperspeedwayNTT INDYCAR SERIES News ConferenceSaturday, July 18, 2026Josef NewgardenPress Conference
THE MODERATOR: We’ll wrap-up qualifying TODAY. Currently joined by Nashville’s own Josef Newgarden. Second front-row start of the season. Second front-row start here at Nashville Superspeedway as well. Ironically, it’s the same front row from the 2024 race.Josef, congratulations. A good start to the weekend for you guys.
JOSEF NEWGARDEN: Yeah, it’s good. I think we did what we could today. Go got a good view point for tomorrow, which is great, with the Astemo car.
THE MODERATOR: What did you learn from practice this morning, if anything?JOSEF NEWGARDEN: Not so much outside of qualifying, to be honest. I’ll know more tonight. It’s really critical to get through high line and P2, then understand what the car is really doing. I don’t have much more to draw from or glean from yet until we get to the second session.
THE MODERATOR: We’ll take some questions.
Q.  Josef, does not knowing who will be in the 12 car affect you at all as team preparations or is it hoping David is back?JOSEF NEWGARDEN: Yeah, I just hope we have Dave in the car. I mean, I just heard about this. I didn’t even know there was potential for that.
I don’t think it will affect our program, but I would just like to see Dave obviously get time tonight and make sure we can get him comfy for tomorrow. That’s the preferred outcome.
Q.  Do you feel much different with the hybrid reduction at this oval race?JOSEF NEWGARDEN: Feels very similar. Honestly, no different than last year for the boring answer. Really no difference.
Q.  400-mile race distance. Does this change the mindset? Does it become like an Indy 500 or something totally different?JOSEF NEWGARDEN: Another boring answer. I really don’t think it does. I think it was a great show here last year. You were there yesterday when I was speaking about this onstage. That’s how I feel about it.
This is a great oval to showcase INDYCAR racing for people. The only way I look at it is they get more of it, more action, a little longer format. I don’t think it will dramatically change the way we approach it.
Obviously the pit stops will be different. There will be a slight difference on the strategy. I don’t foresee a big change in our philosophy, if you will.
Q.  I understand that you have less downforce on the car. What did they do? Did they take out the diffuser at the back?JOSEF NEWGARDEN: They just trimmed the rear wing. Your maximum angle has been reduced by basically a (indiscernible). That’s the big change.
Q.  Does that make the car skittish?JOSEF NEWGARDEN: Not really. None of these things, they shouldn’t alter the race dramatically. The front tire is slightly different. INDYCAR’s goal was to keep the style of race from last year similar. These micro-adjustments, the small downforce adjustment, hybrid, et cetera, it’s not going to alter things much. It’s not going to alter it much from what we’ve seen so far.
Q.  I understand this is the third time at Nashville they’ve had an alternate tire. You have to run two sets. How does that tire feel? Is there a difference?JOSEF NEWGARDEN: There is. Similar to a road and street course. You get an offset, for sure.
Q.  You grew up in this climate. In some ways does it help because you know what July days are like in Middle Tennessee?JOSEF NEWGARDEN: For me, being the local expert, it’s a big advantage. Very big advantage. I understand this humidity better than anybody. It’s unique. It is musical. You have to have a rhythm to the humidity, the race (smiling).
Yeah, it’s great to be from here. It’s going to help me in the race. I think so…That’s a great question, Bruce.
I qualified second, so no one cares. Got to have fun (smiling).
THE MODERATOR: Congratulations.
JOSEF NEWGARDEN: Talk to Kyle. Bye (smiling).
Tune-In Guide
Sunday, July 19Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix (Pre-Race Show) – 4:30pm (ET)/3:30pm (CT)/2:30pm (PT)/1:30pm (PT) – FS1Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix (300 laps)– 5:30pm (ET)/4:30pm (CT)/3:30pm (MT)/2:30pm (PT) – FOX/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218 
Team Penske teammates Josef Newgarden (right) and Scott McLaughlin (left) celebrate a win and third place finish in the 2025 Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix 
Chevrolet and General Motors history at Nashville Superspeedway Chevrolet wins at Nashville Superspeedway: 2
2025 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske2002 – Alex Baron – Blair Racing
Oldsmobile wins at Nashville Superspeedway: 1
2001 – Buddy Lazier – Hemelgarn Racing
Chevrolet poles at Nashville Superspeedway: 2
2025 – Pato O’Ward – Arrow McLaren2005 – Tomas Scheckter – Panther Racing
Oldsmobile poles at Nashville Superspeedway: 1
2001 – Greg Ray – Team Menard
Chevrolet podiums at Nashville Superspeedway: 7
Chevrolet podiums at Nashville Superspeedway by driver:  Josef Newgarden (2), Alex Barron (1), Gil de Ferran (1), Sam Hornish (1), Scott McLaughlin (1), Pato O’Ward (1)
Chevrolet podiums at the Nashville Superspeedway by team: Team Penske (4), Arrow McLaren (1), Blair Racing (1), Panther Racing (1)
Oldsmobile podiums at Nashville Superspeedway: 3
Oldsmobile podiums at Nashville Superspeedway by driver: Billy Boat (1), Buddy Lazier (1), Jaques Lazier (1)
Oldsmobile podiums at Nashville Superspeedway by team: Curb-Agajanian-Beck Motorsports, Hemelgarn Racing (1), Sam Schmidt Motorsports (1)
Chevrolet laps led at Nashville Superspeedway: 481
Chevrolet laps led at Nashville Superspeedway by driver: Pato O’Ward (137), Josef Newgarden (114), Sam Hornish (99), Alexander Rossi (48), Tony Renna (35), Scott Sharp (16), Alex Barron (11), Scott McLaughlin (7), Will Power (7), Conor Daly (2), David Malukas (1)    
Chevrolet laps led at Nashville Superspeedway by team:  Panther Racing (103), Team Penske (54), Arrow McLaren (53), Kelley Racing (51), Blair Racing (11)
Oldsmobile laps led at Nashville Superspeedway: 200
Oldsmobile laps led at Nashville Superspeedway by driver: Sam Hornish, Jr. (86), Buddy Lazier (71), Billy Boat (26), Eliseo Salazar (8), Greg Ray (6), Robbie McGehee (2), Jaques Lazier (1)
Oldsmobile laps led Nashville Superspeedway by team: Panther Racing (86), Hemelgarn Racing (71), Curb-Agajanian-Beck Mortorsports (26), A.J. Foyt Racing (8), Team Menard (6) Cahill Racing (2), Sam Schmidt Motorsports (1)

Manufacturer History at Nashville Superspeedway Wins (with competition):
3 – Honda (2024, 2005, 2004)3 – General Motors (Chevrolet/Oldsmobile)2 – Chevrolet (2025, 2002)1 – Oldsmobile (2001)1 – Toyota (2003)
Poles (with competition):
3 – General Motors (Chevrolet/Oldsmobile)2 – Honda (2024, 2004)2 – Chevrolet (2025, 2005)1 – Infiniti (2002)1 – Oldsmobile (1)1 – Toyota (2003)

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