“I sent it” to snatch pole position for IndyCa...

Will Power laid down a 49.9088s qualifying effort with a 180.329mph two-lap common to assert pole for the Bommarito Automotive Group 500. The end result was Energy’s fifth pole on the 1.25-mile oval and his 71st total, extending his document for indy automotive racing poles. It was the two-time IndyCar champion’s first time topping the charts in qualifying since Aug. 2024 at Portland Worldwide Raceway.

Energy’s technique was easy.

“I despatched it quite a bit,” Energy stated of his run. “I knew you would need to. You’d should attempt to be flat in (turns) 3 and 4. Which I wasn’t fairly flat, however very, very shut.

“Cool, man. Cool. It’s been some time since I’ve had a pole, so I’m actually excited for the Verizon 12 automotive. Chevy did an important job, good energy. Hopefully we will execute within the race. It’d be superior to get a win right here.” 

It’ll be an all-Crew Penske entrance row, persevering with a day of power for the group after Josef Newgarden led opening observe. Scott McLaughlin fell simply .1515s shy of Energy in an earlier run. Newgarden couldn’t match his teammates in qualifying, however ended up a robust fifth at session’s finish.

As qualifying unfolded

The corporate is searching for its first win of 2025, hoping to interrupt a season-long sweep for Honda drivers Alex Palou and Kyle Kirkwood. Chevrolet could have many frontrunners trying to break by way of at Gateway. The Bowtie model claimed the top-five qualifiers on Saturday, with Pato O’Ward, David Malukas and Newgarden capping off the top-five. 

Meyer Shank Racing’s Marcus Armstrong was quickest amongst Honda drivers in sixth, adopted by teammate Felix Rosenqvist.Colton Herta, Alex Palou and Kirkwood wrapping up the top-10. Honda controls sixth by way of eleventh, with Scott Dixon finishing the group. 

Championship hopeful ChristianChristian Lundgaard could have floor to make up if he hopes to salvage the weekend. Lundgaard was a disappointing 14th at day’s finish, away from teammate Nolan Siegel (twentieth) however properly behind O’Ward and unable to capitalize on a pedestrian run for championship frontrunner Palou.

Rookie Robert Shwartzman was unable to repeat the magic of his shock Indianapolis 500 pole run. The Prema Racing driver suffered a slight bobble throughout his run and wound up twenty fourth at session’s finish. 

With just one race on the weekend, the sector was set based mostly on two-lap averages. Drivers certified in reverse order of the sequence’ present level standings. The session began later than initially deliberate, pushed again two hours by lingering storms that dropped mild moisture by way of the morning and early afternoon. Early sunshine gave technique to overcast skies because the session went on, dropping the observe temp and aiding drivers that certified later. 

Observe preparation in focus

Qualifying was preceded by observe for the USAC Silver Crown Sequence, the place a blown motor might also have impacted time trials for among the session’s early qualifiers. 

“Automobiles blowing up simply earlier than we go and qualify is known as a disgrace for us,” Conor Daly informed Frontstretch after an early run. “I like to show in actually late into (turns) 3 and 4. That’s precisely the place the oil dry is, and a bunch of sand. Our security crew does an important job doing that, but it surely’s nonetheless slick.” 

It’ll be a late night for the IndyCar subject. The 27 rivals will return to the racing floor for last observe at 8:15 p.m. ET. Sunday’s race is slated to go stay on FOX at 8:00 p.m. ET. 

Qualifying outcomes – 2025 IndyCar Bommarito Automotive Group 500