Australian Will Power will start from pole position for IndyCar's season-opening race at St. Petersburg, Florida, proving he still is the best driver at navigating the temporary street circuit.
It is the seventh pole in eight years at St. Pete for Power, who also won the pole for this race last year. But he became ill after his qualifying lap and IndyCar ultimately benched him for the race because of concussion-like symptoms.
It turned out Power had an ear infection, and not racing in the opener likely cost him a chance to win the championship. Power finished second in the IndyCar standings last year to Team Penske teammate Simon Pagenaud.
Scott Dixon qualified second on Saturday (Sunday AEDT) in the new Honda that Chip Ganassi Racing is fielding this year, followed by James Hinchcliffe. New Penske driver Josef Newgarden qualified fourth while Takuma Sato and Tony Kanaan round out the final six for Sunday.
