By Jerry Jordan, Editor
SPEEDWAY, In. – For 12 straight seasons, Will Power has led the field to the green flag at least once and this year he will kick things off at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the GMP Grand Prix – the first race here for the NTT IndyCar Series since Roger Penske purchased the facility and the racing series in November 2019.
Power made the Fast 6 in qualifying with the fifth position but he obviously saved something for the final round and put the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet atop the board. He said he gave it everything he had. At 58 career poles, Power moves into single digits behind Mario Andretti for the most poles in the IndyCar Series.
“Nothing on the table for that lap,” Power said. “I just gave it my all and fortunately it was enough.”
Leading the field will likely keep Power out of the fray as the field tries to maneuver through the IMS road course. He added that it is possible though that some drivers will lay back to get a run for the front.
With temperatures in excess of 90 degrees the track was hot and slippery but it was even worse on the drivers. When asked about conditions, Power said, “it’s so bloody hot.”
“I just want to jump into an ice bucket right now.”
Power’s time just edged out Jack Harvey’s Meyer Shank Racing No. 60 Honda by less than two-tenths of a second. Harvey wasn’t surprised by Power’s performance.
“Will Power doing Will Power things,” Harvey said, as he stepped out of his car.
The IndyCar Series will kick off a tripleheader weekend of racing as, for the first time, NASCAR will share the track with the open-wheel series on the same weekend. The historic event came together after Penske purchased all things Indy and NASCAR was open to the idea of having the Cup Series run on the iconic 2.5-mile track, while the Xfinity Series and the IndyCar Series run on the road course.
The action begins a full-day of Fourth of July activities with the green flag scheduled to fly at 12:08 p.m. EST.