Team Penske dominated todays IndyCar qualifying at the Grand Prix of Portland, claiming the top three qualifying times for tomorrow’s race. Kiwi Scott McLaughlin will lead the field into the infamous Turn 1 at the Portland International Raceway, a corner which has gained notoriety amongst the competitors.
McLaughlin, starting on pole for the third time this year, will be alongside championship leader Will Power. Power, who was out qualified by teammate Josef Newgarden, benefits from an engine change to the American’s car which sees him drop six places down the grid to start eighth.
“Credit to everyone at Team Penske,” McLaughlin told NBC Sports’ Kevin Lee following the session.
“We weren’t great here last year but we’ve come back here with three hot rods. We’re all pushing each other, Will, Josef and myself. To get pole is obviously a great thing. The Chevy power is great. I’m looking forward to the race.
“We know that when we get employed what we need to do,” said McLaughlin.
“When the team wins, we all win. For me, I’ve just got to focus on what I’m doing. If I can be at the front and take points off others by winning the race, that’s exactly what we want to do.
“Until I’m mathematically out of it, I want to keep going hard and keep trying to win races. I’m feeling really good in the car. We’re building on to really good things for next year. I’m really proud of this group. These guys and these gals work very hard and I’m very proud of them. It’s a really big testament to them.”
All three Penske drivers are a part of ‘The Championship Seven’, a lead group of seven drivers still mathematically in with a good chance to claim the IndyCar title after the final two races.
Alex Palou of CGR starts on the second row of the grid, currently sitting one spot above McLaughlin in the standings in fifth.
Pato O’Ward will start on the third row, however trails leader Power by 58 points heading into the event and will need to finish ahead of the Australian to remain in contention.
Fellow New Zealand driver Scott Dixon, who sits third in the standing and only 14 points behind Power, struggled on pace in the event and will start back in 16th. Behind him is Marcus Ericsson, the fourth best driver this year, starting in 18th.
Dixon will need a solid outing in Portland to ensure he remains in the championship hunt, but has often fought through the field this season to finish near the front. Portland, however, is a different beast.
The track known for having a difficulty in overtaking, meaning the hopes of ‘The Championship Seven’ may lay on the misfortune of others. A wide, sharp and inviting Turn 1 chicane has often been the cause incidents in past.
Drivers at the front of the field expressed their concerns at the field coming up behind them come Turn 1, with Newgarden and Power among those to express concern.
“It’s definitely the most unpredictable” turn in IndyCar, Newgarden said to NBC Sports.
“When it goes according to plan, it’s fine. More times than not, that doesn’t happen.”
Power shared a similar sentiment, stating Turn 1 is “the worst first corner in the whole series. You’re at the mercy of all the guys behind you and just hoping they do the right thing.
“Yeah, such a bad corner. Such an inviting, wide corner. Not ideal for the second-to-last race of the season,” he said to NBC Sports.
Racing gets underway at 7am tomorrow and will be shown live on Sky Sport 5.
Header Photo: IndyCar.com
