Kiwi Scott McLaughlin missed the chance to grab pole position for the opening race of the new IndyCar series, after spinning in qualifying for Monday's Grand Prix of St Petersburg.
Returning to the same circuit where he secured his maiden IndyCar win in 2022, Team Penske's McLaughlin will start sixth on the grid, after only completing one lap in qualifying's fast six.
The 29-year-old lost control at turn 12 after touching the wall, causing the session to be red flagged. The incident was a repeat of Saturday's (NZ time) practice, where McLaughlin made the same mistake at the same turn.
That leaves the Kiwi on the third row of the starting grid, starting in sixth place, as Andretti Motorsport duo of Romain Grosjean and Colton Herta locked out the front row in first and second.
Meanwhile, fellow Kiwi and six-time champion Scott Dixon of Chip Ganassi Racing failed to even reach the fast six, eliminated in the second session of qualifying.
The 42-year-old will begin the season starting ninth on the grid, as he begins his quest for a record-equalling seventh title, sitting only behind American icon AJ Foyt on the all-time winners list.
Dixon's teammate, New Zealand's Marcus Armstrong, also impressed in his first taste of IndyCar qualifying, earning 13th place on the grid.
Armstrong, 22, was the highest-placed qualifier of the rookie drivers, with the next best being Agustin Canapino in 21st.
This season is Armstrong's first racing in the US, after switching from Formula Two at the end of the 2022 season.
IndyCar's Grand Prix of St Petersburg will be raced on Monday morning (NZ time).
