Pato O'Ward qualifies 10th at Road America, cites tire issues

O'Ward went slower in qualifying than he had in second practice, which is the kind of regression that stings most at a track where starting position genuinely matters for race strategy. The tire complaint is worth noting because it points to a setup or preparation issue rather than raw pace — he clearly had the speed in practice. For a driver sitting fifth in the championship, a mid-pack grid slot at Road America is a points opportunity left on the table before the race has even started.