In a heart-pounding qualifying session at the World Wide Technology Raceway, Team Penske dominated the track, with Will Power emerging as the pole position winner for the upcoming IndyCar race at Gateway.
A total of 27 IndyCar drivers battled it out on the 1.25-mile course, each taking on the track individually to secure their spot on the starting grid. Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin initially seemed poised for the top spot with an impressive average speed of 179.783 MPH, but it was Will Power who ultimately stole the show. Power blazed through the course, averaging over 180 MPH and securing pole position by clocking in at 49.9088 seconds for his two laps. This time was a tenth of a second faster than last year’s pole position time, showcasing Power’s exceptional skill and speed.
The pole position win marked Power’s 71st in his career, further solidifying his status as one of the elite drivers in the series. His teammate McLaughlin settled for second place, while Josef Newgarden clinched the fifth starting position, ensuring a strong Team Penske presence at the front of the grid. Pato O’Ward also made his mark by securing the third starting position, with David Malukas from AJ Foyt Racing rounding out the top five.
Interestingly, Chevrolet drivers dominated the qualifying session, with five of them claiming the top five spots on the grid. With Chevrolet yet to secure a win this season, all eyes are on the manufacturer to potentially break this streak at the upcoming race based on their qualifying performance.
Championship leader Alex Palou faced a more challenging qualifying session, starting from the fifth row alongside Kyle Kirkwood, the only other 2025 season winner. Meanwhile, veteran Scott Dixon from Chip Ganassi Racing will be starting from the sixth row, showcasing the mix of experience and emerging talent in the lineup.
Despite being a rookie class, the 2025 drivers faced difficulties during qualifying, with Louis Foster securing the best position at 21st on the grid. Robert Schwartzman and Jacob Abel rounded out the rookie lineup in the 24th and 27th starting positions, respectively.
The qualifying session proceeded smoothly without any incidents, setting the stage for an action-packed 260-lap race scheduled for Sunday evening. As the drivers gear up for the intense competition under the lights, the battle for victory at Gateway promises to be a thrilling spectacle for motorsport fans worldwide.