By David Morgan, Associate Editor
MADISON, Ill. – It has been nearly two years since Will Power won a pole for an NTT IndyCar Series race – seemingly an eternity for the all-time leader in qualifying.
But the drought is no more after rocketing around World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway in his No. 12 Team Penske Chevrolet at a two-lap combined time of 49.9088 seconds, an average of 180.329 mph, to claim the best seat in the house when the green flag drops on Sunday’s Bommarito Automotive Group 500.
“It has been a while,” said Power. “I mean, been on the front row a few times. Yeah, it’s nice to get a pole always. One point, and get to lead the field to green.
“I’m going to enjoy it for an hour or so and get back to practice.”
The pole is the 71st of his career, increasing the record he already eclipsed two years ago when he swept pole position during the Iowa Speedway doubleheader in July 2023. It is also the 700th pole overall for Team Penske.
“Just keep adding to it,” Power said of the record. “It would be nice to get to 80 (laughter). I’ve had eight in a year, so it’s not impossible. Obviously tough these days.
“Yeah, every time you get one, I mean, bloody amazing. Especially at this point in my career, anytime I get a P1 in any of these sessions like qualifying or the race, big deal. Big deal. I love it.”
Power will be joined on the front row by his Team Penske teammate Scott McLaughlin, who has been consistent throughout the day, posting the second quickest time in practice earlier this afternoon and now qualifying second fastest.
“I’d love to be up front. Team Penske 1-2 is always good,” said McLaughlin. “Will, a while since he’s been on pole. He’s super quick around here. Anytime you go up one on one against Will Power in qualifying, it’s always tough.
“Felt really good. Car has been good basically since the drop. I think we’re in a really good spot for tomorrow regardless. We’ll see what we’ve got.”
Pato O’Ward timed in third quickest on his two-lap run, followed by David Malukas, and Josef Newgarden, who was fastest in practice, in a Chevrolet clean sweep of the top-five in qualifying.
The fastest Honda driver was Marcus Armstrong in his Meyer Shank Racing machine, along with teammate Felix Rosenqvist, Colton Herta, Alex Palou, and Kyle Kirkwood to round out the top-10.
“It was a stable run and the car was really good,” said Armstrong. “I have never done a short oval qualy and not wanted more when I got out of the car. The car was mega and it felt really, really strong. I just didn’t get the most from it and was one of those runs you wish you could do again. But overall happy with our position and the No. 66 Spectrum Honda will be ready to race tomorrow.”
Scott Dixon will start 11th as the only driver other than Newgarden to win at Gateway in the last six races. Alexander Rossi, Marcus Ericsson, Christian Lundgaard, and Conor Daly just missed out on top-10 starting positions with their runs and will roll off from 12th to 15th, respectively.
Santino Ferrucci, who has been strong at Gateway in the past, will have some work to do when the green flag drops, posting the 19th fastest time.
“We nailed the car for qualifying,” said Ferrucci, recounting his lap. “You know, you go into turn one, two for the first time on hot tires and I didn’t send it in as hard and the car turned better than I was expecting. I got on the curb, got super loose and second lap was what the first lap should have been and yeah…
“Nothing like trying to pass my way through the field.”
Next up for the NTT IndyCar Series will be a dual final practice session, first with a high-line only session to help expand the racing groove for Sunday night’s race, followed by a traditional practice session for one last shot at getting the cars dialed in.
The high line session, split into Groups A and B, will kick off at 8:15 pm ET, with the full field final practice to follow at 8:50 pm ET.
This all leads into the main event on Sunday, which is scheduled for an 8:20 pm ET green flag on FOX.
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