LONG BEACH, Calif. — Kyle Kirkwood made it happen when it counted, saving a set of “sticker” Firestone tires for his final lap to win the first pole of his career in the NTT IndyCar Series. Kirkwood also paced group one of segment one with a fast lap of 1:06.5593 in the No. 10 Honda, followed by Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon at 1:06.5305 in the No. Missing the cut were Simon Pagenaud, Helio Castroneves, Santino Ferrucci, Devlin DeFrancesco, Callum Ilott, Graham Rahal, Augustin Canapino and Conor Daly. 11 Honda into the Turn 9 tire barrier with 53 seconds left in the session. Others who were out at that time were Rossi, McLaughlin and Grosjean. Rosenqvist was at the front of the field attempting to improve his position from sixth place and lock himself into the Firestone Fast Six. Rosenqvist however, pulled off course after his one flying lap and dropped out of the Fast Six. Ericsson raced up to fourth in the final seconds and Herta dropped out of the Fast Six. Missing the Fast Six were Herta, Newgarden, McLaughlin, Rosenqvist, Rossi and Armstrong.

Follow MotorMouth on social media:

• 
• 
• 
•