Reality hit Will Power hard when he saw his teammate Scott McLaughlin’s first lap speed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. McLaughlin clocked in at a blazing 234.526mph.
“It’s disappointing,” said Power, a two-time IndyCar Series champion. “When I saw the first lap, I knew I couldn’t catch up.”
Power’s average speed over four laps was 233.917mph, while McLaughlin set a new record with 234.220mph.
This marks Power’s fifth time starting on the front row at the Indy 500, but it’s his first since winning the race in 2018.
Despite holding the record for the most pole positions in IndyCar Series history with 70, Power hasn’t secured the top spot at the Indy 500 in his 17 attempts. This year, he’s started second in three out of five races.
“Yeah, I keep getting close this year, but I don’t think I’ll ever get that pole,” Power said. “It’s like the racing gods are against me, saying, ‘You can have all these poles, but not this one.'”
Power acknowledged that while winning the pole would be nice, it’s not the end of the world if he doesn’t. He knows the race itself is what truly matters.
Qualifying for the Indy 500 is stressful, with every team striving for the fastest car and the best team. Despite the challenge, Power noted that their team’s cars have been closer in performance this year than ever before, showing the high-quality work they’ve put in.
Power also recognized the significance of being part of a Penske front row lock-out, with teammate Josef Newgarden, the defending Indy 500 winner, taking third place.
The last time Penske swept the front row was in 1988, with Rick Mears in pole position, Danny Sullivan in second, and Al Unser Sr. in third.
Reflecting on their team’s performance, Power remembered feeling confident about their potential back in Long Beach last month. He joked about his knack for finishing second, suggesting it might continue throughout the season.
“Maybe I’ll end up winning the championship this way,” Power quipped. “That would be a first!”
