Will Power secured pole position for the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 with a stellar qualifying effort, marking his 71st career pole and extending his indy car racing record. This achievement was particularly significant as it had been a while since his last pole, back in 2024. Power’s strategy was straightforward: pushing his limits and aiming for a flat-out performance in certain turns of the track. The Team Penske driver expressed excitement for the upcoming race and the potential to clinch a victory.
Team Penske dominated qualifying, with Josef Newgarden leading practice and Scott McLaughlin narrowly missing out on pole. Chevrolet drivers have their sights set on breaking Honda’s season-long dominance. Meyer Shank Racing’s Marcus Armstrong led the Honda pack, while championship hopeful Christian Lundgaard faced a challenging qualifying session. Rookie Robert Shwartzman had a tougher outing, finishing 24th.
The field’s starting order was determined by two-lap averages, showcasing the drivers’ consistency. The delayed start of the session due to inclement weather and track conditions added an extra challenge for the competitors. Qualifying also encountered technical issues, such as blown motors affecting some early qualifiers. Conor Daly highlighted the nuances of the track conditions, emphasizing the importance of adapting to unexpected challenges on race day.
