![Helio Castroneves celebrates pole](https://speedcafe.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/helio-castroneves-344x206.jpg)
Helio Castroneves edged Penske team-mate Juan Pablo Montoya for pole position at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
The Brazilian’s 1:06.63s best in the Fast Six session proved a scant 0.03s faster than that of his Colombian rival.
“The team worked really hard because we changed everything in the car last night, so congratulations to them,” said Castroneves after the session.
“It was not pretty last night, but it proved that we were able to keep pushing.
“When you get the pole position with the team-mates I have it’s actually pretty cool.”
Scott Dixon (Ganassi) and Ryan Hunter-Reay (Andretti) secured second row starting spots ahead of Simon Pagenaud (Penske) and Josef Newgarden (CFH).
The final Penske Dallara-Chevrolet, driven by Australian Will Power, will start just 18th after being caught out by an early red flag.
“I’m just kicking myself for not finishing that lap that I had a bobble on,” reflected the reigning champion.
“I just had to turn the engine down and coasted for a bit before taking off again.
“It’s tough, but in these IndyCar races anything can happen.”
Italian Stefano Coletti will start last after tagging the wall in the first session and bringing out the red fags.
Result: IndyCar Qualifying, Long Beach
Pos. | Driver | Engine | Time | Round |
1 | Helio Castroneves | Chevrolet | 1:06.6294 | Firestone Fast Six |
2 | Juan Pablo Montoya | Chevrolet | 1:06.6587 | Firestone Fast Six |
3 | Scott Dixon | Chevrolet | 1:06.7870 | Firestone Fast Six |
4 | Ryan Hunter-Reay | Honda | 1:07.0473 | Firestone Fast Six |
5 | Simon Pagenaud | Chevrolet | 1:07.1433 | Firestone Fast Six |
6 | Josef Newgarden | Chevrolet | 1:07.1716 | Firestone Fast Six |
7 | Tony Kanaan | Chevrolet | 1:07.1090 | Round 2 / Top 12 |
8 | Graham Rahal | Honda | 1:07.1290 | Round 2 / Top 12 |
9 | Sebastien Bourdais | Chevrolet | 1:07.2411 | Round 2 / Top 12 |
10 | Marco Andretti | Honda | 1:07.3161 | Round 2 / Top 12 |
11 | Sebastian Saavedra | Chevrolet | 1:07.3924 | Round 2 / Top 12 |
12 | Carlos Munoz | Honda | 1:07.4049 | Round 2 / Top 12 |
13 | James Hinchcliffe | Honda | 1:07.3976 | Qual / Group 1 |
14 | Luca Filippi | Chevrolet | 1:08.6104 | Qual / Group 2 |
15 | Charlie Kimball | Chevrolet | 1:07.4217 | Qual / Group 1 |
16 | Jack Hawksworth | Honda | 1:08.6276 | Qual / Group 2 |
17 | Gabby Chaves (R) | Honda | 1:07.4653 | Qual / Group 1 |
18 | Will Power | Chevrolet | 1:08.8348 | Qual / Group 2 |
19 | James Jakes | Honda | 1:07.7702 | Qual / Group 1 |
20 | Takuma Sato | Honda | 1:08.8732 | Qual / Group 2 |
21 | Conor Daly (R) | Honda | 1:08.7825 | Qual / Group 1 |
22 | Francesco Dracone (R) | Honda | 1:09.8815 | Qual / Group 2 |
23 | Stefano Coletti (R) | Chevrolet | 1:10.4644 | Qual / Group 2 |
VIDEO: Helio Castroneves onboard pole position lap