SONOMA, Calif. (AP) — Will Power has set an IndyCar Series record with his eighth pole this season.
Power broke Helio Castroneves’ 2007 record at Infineon Raceway on Saturday, turning in the fastest time after barely making it into the final round of knockout qualifying.
Power, the series points leader, dropped out of the top six late in the second knockout session and had to be waved back onto the track by his crew. The Aussie jumped to fifth on his final lap, then made it around the 2.303-mile, 12-turn road course through California’s wine country in 1 minute, 16.5282 seconds late in the final session.
Castroneves qualified second, 0.04 seconds back. Defending Sonoma champion Dario Franchitti was third and Alex Tagliani fourth.
