IndyCar completed a full set of qualifying runs on the Nashville Superspeedway Saturday afternoon, with each driver completing two laps to set the grid.
After everyone had taken their turns, it was Kyle Kirkwood that was left sitting in top spot.
Kirkwood earned his first oval pole with a set of laps completed in 47.5189 seconds over two laps, averaging 201.520 MPH.
READ MORE: IndyCar Nashville – Full Qualifying Results
A few other of IndyCar’s usual stars also set times near the top of the charts, with Josef Newgarden coming the closest to Kirkwood and earning the outside front row position.
Felix Rosenqvist qualified third, also edging over the magic 200 MPH barrier to earn a grid position on the second row.
Will Power did not quite have the qualifying run he had hoped for, and was only able to earn the fourth grid position.
If Power had earned pole he would have earned a critical bonus point, which would have helped him whittle down the 33 point gap to Alex Palou.
Palou also struggled to capitalize on the situation and qualified even further down the order. He qualified 15th, but will roll off 24th after his grid penalty for excessive engine changes is applied.
The battle for the championship appears like it will take place in the middle of the pack, which could bring in extra drama during Sunday’s race.
The Turn 4 bump once again played havoc on drivers, with multiple drivers having to get out of the throttle in order to save their car from wrecking.
Alexander Rossi was perhaps the most out of the shape, and very nearly had a crash just as big as his team-mate did earlier in practice.
Rossi’s fast hands saved him from crashing, but he still had to back off and ultimately qualified down in 20th.
Continuing an unfortunate trend from recent oval races, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing was not even close to matching those at the top of the order.
Pietro Fittipaldi was the quickest of the trio, but even he was only able to qualify in the 19th position. Graham Rahal and Christian Lundgaard were each lower down the order.
Nolan Siegel was not able to participate in qualifying at all, as his heavy crash in practice ultimately kept him off the track.
The Arrow McLaren crew attempted to get the car fixed, but was not able to do so in time for him to take part. Siegel will start from the back of the pack with a new engine in tow as well.
Drivers will have a short final practice session later in the day, as long as the rain continues to hold off, and then Sunday’s race begins at 2:15 PM central time.
