Nolan Seigel will not take part in this year’s Indy 500 after failing to qualify. 19-year-old rookie was the slowest of the final four taking part in the last chance qualifying behind Katherine Legge, Marcus Ericsson, and Graham Rahal.
This was the first time Siegel had attempted to qualify for the Indy 500, but unfortunately it was not meant to be for the ‘California Kid’.
How It Happened
Siegel was the first to take to the track for the last-chance qualifying runs due to being the slowest runner in the first part of 2024 Indy 500 Qualifying on Saturday. The rookie was up against it after a heavy aerial crash in Friday’s practice session dented his confidence and left him running a back-up chassis.
“We’re not here to make it feel nice and feel comfortable. We’re here to make it to the race and qualify for the Indy 500.”
His first run was an average of 229.566mph, faster than the pace he set in the earlier practice session but not enough for clear safety.
2022 Indy 500 winner Marcus Ericsson was next to take to the track, and was tracking well before a mistake meant he misjudged the amount of laps remaining. He slowed after the third lap, mistaking the white flag communicated by the team over the radio for the checker, meaning his run was a lowly 220.702mph and would be forced to run again.
Katherine Legge had a scary run, with two big moments in the first two turns of her final lap lending her to a safe 230.092mph at the top of the timing sheets.
“I feel sick and shaky, I feel like I wanna cry.” she said after the run, “Really, really hoping we don’t have to go again. That last lap cost us a lot.”
Experienced racer Graham Rahal was next to the line, struggling with gear ratios but cementing a P2 behind Legge, soon to be demoted to P3 after Ericsson’s second run.
After some heavy engine cooling, Ericsson was able to complete his second run, averaging 230.027mph and forcing the young rookie of Nolan Seigel into a final attempt.
“That was extremely tough, but this place just brings everything out of everyone,” the Swedish driver said, “It was just very tough mentally, but we did it. I’m very proud of my team.”
Last Chance Saloon for Siegel
For the Dale Coyne driver the final run was all or nothing, with his place in his first Indy 500 at stake. He opened the stint with a 229.288mph before catching the wall on the exit of Turn 1 on his second lap. He was sent spinning into the barriers at Turn 2 in a high-speed accident but was unhurt. Rahal watched on as he was deemed safe and into the 500, but unfortunately for Siegel his 2024 Indy campaign was over.
“We’re going home because we did everything we could, and I think we can be very proud of that,” the 19-year-old said, “I want to thank the team for all their hard work. I appreciate everything the team has done.”
While he failed to make it past the 2024 Indy 500 Qualifying, Siegel will return to the Indy NXT championship with HMD Motorsports to finish his 2024 season, following on from an incredible 2023 season where he won Rookie of the Year.
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Featured image credit of IndyCar