With the previous two Pocono wins and this year’s Indy 500 in his repertoire, Will Power entered the race weekend as a favourite. He leaves Saturday’s qualifying session for the ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway with his 53rd career Verizon P1 Award to tie with A.J. Foyt for second all-time.
“Very cool to be up there with AJ Foyt, a legend like that,” Will Power told Paul Tracy at the completion of the session. “I couldn’t have imagined that at the start of my career. That’s what we need to get this championship back on track.”
As the season wears down, few opportunities remain for Power to climb his way back into the title fight. However, the 2018 Indianapolis 500 champion does not consider himself to be out of the picture.
“I will be doing everything I can,” he said. “It’s a big points deficit, but the last race is double points. If we can get close – within 30 or something – we have a shot.”
Defending series champion and Team Penske teammate Josef Newgarden put himself in P2 to lock out the front row for the team. Despite Andretti Autosport showing the strongest pace in practice and early qualifying after some testing, Alexander Rossi, Ryan Hunter-Reay, and Zach Veach were held back to P3, P4, and P7 respectively.
Simon Pagenaud appeared unmovable from the pole, but would fall four positions down to P5 as the last few cars showed great pace. He placed just ahead of Robert Wickens, who felt he had a difficult time adjusting to the tricky triangle before settling a respectable qualifying run.
Scott Dixon suffered understeer throughout his run to close out the session, with all eyes on him the points leader. Having to lift significantly in most turns, Dixon limped his Chip Ganassi Racing Honda back to the finish line P13. However, he will have plenty of time to fight to the front in Sunday’s 500 mile race.
