Loftsgard Claims Sebring Pole in Series Debut

Photo: Wes Duenkel/Ford

Cole Loftsgard claimed pole in his Mustang Challenge North America debut for Thursday’s opening round of the season at Sebring International Raceway.

The Round 3 Racing driver, who topped the combined practice timesheets earlier in the day, reeled off a 2:12.662 in his No. 42 Ford Mustang Dark Horse R to outpace TechSport Racing’s Devin Anderson by 0.494 seconds.

Michael Tosi, in one of six Wheelhouse Motorsports entries, qualified third, ahead of reigning Mustang Cup USA champion Will Lucas, who was quickest in opening practice.

Fifth went to Sandy Satullo, in another Wheelhouse entry.

Defending Dark Horse Legends champion Alex Bachoura took top pole honors in class, qualifying sixth overall.

Bachoura edged out the No. 9 Paley Motorsport with AAG Racing entry of Chris Clarke for the class pole.

Seventeen of the 19 entries turned laps in qualifying, with Ford Motor Company CEO Jim Farley not setting a time, as well as Bruce Griffin, who sustained an accident in second practice.

Griffin was evaluated and released from the trackside medical center, per a Ford Racing spokesperson.

The opening race of the season takes the green flag Thursday at 1:05 p.m. EST with live coverage on Peacock as well as IMSA and Ford Racing’s YouTube channels, with commentary from John Hindhaugh and Arjuna Kankipati.

RESULTS: Quaifying

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John