Title: Mustaches and Memories: Prerace Interviews set the Stage for Honda Indy Toronto
As the anticipation builds for the Honda Indy Toronto, prerace coverage offered a glimpse into the thoughts and desires of the drivers. Interviews with points leader Alex Palou and pole-sitter Christian Lundgaard shed light on their aspirations and past experiences.
Palou, currently leading the championship, is no stranger to the IndyCar series. However, he has only competed in Toronto once before, as the race was canceled in 2020-21 due to the pandemic. Last year, Palou showcased his skills by starting 22nd and finishing sixth, thanks in part to a thrilling opening lap where he maneuvered through a three-wide situation. Reflecting on his previous performance, Palou grinned and admitted that the start was too aggressive. Determined to avoid a repeat of that incident, he quipped, “It’s going to be a busy day at the office.”
Lundgaard, on the other hand, is aiming for a victory to bid farewell to his mustache, which he has sported throughout the season. Promising to shave it off after his first IndyCar win, the Danish driver made a pact with his friend, Victor, who was present on the Toronto grid. Expressing his joy at having his best friend by his side during the qualifying session, Lundgaard highlighted the fun and motivation the mustache challenge brings to his race.
In addition to these individual storylines, other contenders face challenges as they start from deep in the 27-car grid. Palou, despite being the championship leader, experienced a season-worst qualifying result, starting 15th. The last time he began a race in this unfavorable position was his Toronto debut last year, where he impressively climbed his way up to sixth. Colton Herta, who showed promise in practice, struggled with wet conditions and will start 14th. Meanwhile, Alexander Rossi’s electrical issues caused him to qualify in 26th position, a setback for the Arrow McLaren team.
Among the other notable storylines to follow is Tom Blomqvist’s NTT IndyCar Series debut for Meyer Shank Racing. Starting 20th, the two-time Rolex 24 at Daytona winner replaces Simon Pagenaud, who is yet to be cleared after a practice crash at Mid-Ohio SportsCar Course. Blomqvist, accustomed to high-downforce cars, admitted feeling lost during Friday’s practice, as he adjusts to the challenging street circuit without power steering. A strong performance from Blomqvist could provide validation for his future full-time move to IndyCar with MSR and help alleviate negative perceptions following the team’s penalty in IMSA.
Meanwhile, Felix Rosenqvist faced a turbulent weekend in Toronto. Although he crashed during Saturday morning practice, his team worked diligently to prepare a backup car, allowing him to qualify in fifth position. Despite finishing last in the warmup session, Rosenqvist displayed a competitive spirit and demonstrated a racy performance in his No. 6 Dallara-Chevrolet.
Lastly, Scott Dixon, looking to mount a comeback for his seventh championship, will aim to apply pressure on his teammate Palou by starting seventh in Toronto. Dixon, who secured a runner-up finish at Mid-Ohio, boasts an impressive record at Toronto with four victories.
As the race unfolds, all eyes will be on these drivers and their intriguing storylines. From Lundgaard’s goal to lose his mustache to Palou’s determination to avoid a repeat of last year’s hectic start, the Honda Indy Toronto promises to deliver an action-packed spectacle filled with excitement and memories that will be etched into the annals of IndyCar history.