Ten teams in total across all three classes advanced to the pole shootout to set the front of the grid for the Indianapolis 8 Hour. With only 15m on the clock, it was a final opportunity to rise above the rest and clock in fast laps. Five IGTC Pro teams secured a spot in the top 10, joined by three FGTWCA Pro entries, and two in the Pro-Am category.
As each of the drivers set off one by one around the track, it was impossible to predict who would come out on top.
The No. 10 Herberth Motorsport Pro-Am Porsche 992 GT3 R was quick to impress as Patric Niederhauser jumped into the overall lead within the opening half of the session, putting the team in a prime spot as the rest of the field tried to catch up.
Laurin Heinrich was running in second for a while in the No. 120 Wright Motorsports Porsche 992 GT3 R, but IndyCar star Alex Palou moved up ahead of him in the No. 4 Lone Star Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 with just 3m to go.
In the end, Herberth Motorsport were untouchable in the shootout, claiming their second consecutive ROWE Motor Oil Pole Award after earning the same honor in last year’s rendition of the event.
“Putting a lap together is really challenging, but the team has put in so much effort to give us a great platform,” said Antares Au, who was cheering on Patric from pit lane. “The atmosphere in the team is fantastic; it feels like driving among friends. It’s tough, but it’s great that we’ve reached this point.”