Power wins pole again at St. Pete for IndyCar opener

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Will Power won the pole for IndyCar’s season-opening race at St. Petersburg, proving he still is the best driver at navigating the temporary street circuit.

It was a record seventh pole in eight years at St. Pete for Power, who also won the pole for this race last year. He’s a two-time winner at St. Pete and will try for win No. 3 in Sunday’s opener.

Power ran the course Saturday in his Team Penske Chevrolet with a lap of 1 minute, 1.0640 seconds (106.118 mph).

“It takes obviously a very good team,” the Australian said. “Very happy to be on pole. Can’t believe it’s now seven times.”

Power did not race in last year’s opener. He became ill after his qualifying lap and IndyCar ultimately benched him for the race because of concussionlike symptoms. It turned out Power had an ear infection, and not racing in the opener likely cost him a chance to win the championship. He was second in the IndyCar standings last year to Team Penske teammate Simon Pagenaud.

Scott Dixon qualified second Saturday in the new Honda that Chip Ganassi Racing is fielding this year, followed by James Hinchcliffe. New Penske driver Josef Newgarden qualified fourth while Takuma Sato, now driving for Andretti Autosport, and Tony Kanaan round out the final six for Sunday.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Penske, despite two drivers in the top four. Reigning series champ Pagenaud and Helio Castroneves failed to advance to the second round of qualifying. Pagenaud will start 14th, Castroneves 16th.