The Fast Six qualifying field for the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama was evenly split among Chevrolet and Honda—three apiece—but Chevy took the Top-3 positions. As they did in FP1 and FP3, Team Penske Chevys swept the podium positions, with Will Power grabbing his second pole of 2017. Helio Castroneves and Simon Pagenaud, were P2 and P3 respectively.
Twitter: Once again @12WillPower and @Team_Penske potent in pole qualifying @BarberMotorPark #HIGPA #INDYCAR https://t.co/xUf8U6AVwN (@IndyCar)
Power’s pole lap time of 1m06.9614s was the only sub-1m07s time in Qualifying. The Australian is also the only driver to put in sub-1m07s times all weekend, a feat he accomplished twice. Penske team-mate Castroneves was on provisional pole until Power put in his pole effort, on his third and final lap.
Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon is the leading Honda, will start P4. Andretti Autosport’s Ryan Hunter-Reay will start P5. While Schmidt Peterson Motorsport’s James Hinchcliffe will start P6 after completing one lap in the Fast Six.
Power’s pole for the Chevrolet-powered Team Penske also means the Chevy dominance at Barber Motorsports Park in qualifying will continue. The American engine manufacturer has claimed pole in all races at Barber since 2010. Converting the pole into wins however hasn’t been as straight forward. Chevy hold a slight one-race advantage over Honda in the win column, 4-3. Power, the reigning street circuit champion will hope to add to that tally on Sunday. Green flag is at 3PM ET on Sunday.
Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama Qualifying Notes:
– Team Penske’s fourth driver, Josef Newgarden who will start P7 is the only other Chevy in the Top 12.
– Team Penske’s sweep of the qualifying podium is their first of the year. In 2016, Penske did so three times, in St. Petersburg, Detroit, and Sonoma.
– Rookie Zach Veach, subbing in for JR Hildebrand at Ed Carpenter Racing will start P19.
– Graham Rahal of RLL Racing, twice runner-up in 2015 and 2016, will start last (P21).
– Hinchcliffe and Dixon are the only drivers to make the Fast Six in all races so far in 2017.
