Sixth Place Start for Harvey at IMS

Indianapolis, Ind. (1 October 2020) – Returning to the site of his debut INDYCAR front row start and podium finish, Meyer Shank Racing driver Jack Harvey was hoping to have another strong qualifying run in the No. 60 AutoNation / SiriusXM Honda for Race 1 of the double-header Harvest Grand Prix.

Unfortunately, a red flag during Harvey’s Group 1 qualifying prevented him from laying down a lap on Firestone reds as the session was called early. Fortunately he had posted the third fastest time in the abbreviated session, which means that Harvey will start sixth for Race 1 on Friday (USA, 4:00pm ET).

Brisk weather was a change from the typical hot temperatures that greet teams during the Month of May at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. All new factors were presented to the team with just one hour-long practice run ahead of qualifying later on Thursday evening.

Harvey got off to a quick start, placing the No. 60 AutoNation / SiriusXM Honda third in the order in the opening practice session. The 6:30 PM qualifying start was the latest time this season for a qualifying session as the temperatures continued to drop with the setting sun.

Temperatures in the 50s greeted Group 1, as drivers needed multiple laps to get the tires up to optimal temperatures. Harvey closed out his Firestone primary tire run with a 1:10.623-second lap, placing him third in the order.

But as the crew swapped to Firestone Racing reds with five minutes to go, the session was halted and eventually came to an early end after a red flag was deployed for a car off track.

“It’s definitely unfortunate that we never got an opportunity to get a lap on reds, because I really think we had the pace for pole today,” said Harvey. “For this to have been our worst qualifying effort in three starts here isn’t so terrible. I’m really proud of everyone at Meyer Shank Racing for continuing to work so hard, because the thing I was worried about coming here was that people expect us to be good here. And everyone on the team worked so hard to put the No. 60 AutoNation / SiriusXM Honda as far forward as possible. Hopefully we’ll have a good race tomorrow and work through the field.”

Race 1 of the Harvest Grand Prix race weekend is set for a 4:00pm ET green flag start with broadcast coverage on USA. Additional coverage will be on SiriusXM Ch. 205.