An electrical storm has forced IndyCar to abandon qualifying for the maiden round at the NOLA Motorsports Park in New Orleans.

After a one hour delay, Group 1 was finally brought to life under threatening skies with Group 2 following shortly afterwards.

However the second Group was cut short in the closing minutes after lightning strikes near the circuit.

With qualifying incomplete, officials have decided to set the grid based on team owner points.

It will see the front row occupied by Juan Montoya and defending series champion Will Power with Chip Ganassi driver Tony Kanaan on the second row with Helio Castroneves.

Simon Pagenaud will see the four Team Penske cars in the top five positions.

The remainder of the top 10 sees Sebastien Bourdais start from sixth, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Jack Hawksworth, Luca Filippi and Marco Andretti.

Bourdais (KVSH) had been fastest in Group 1 but was stripped of his two fastest laps for interference with Kanaan which has drawn considerable contention.

Carpenter/Fisher/Hartman Racing driver Josef Newgarden had posted the fastest time in Group 2 before the session was brought to a close.

New Orleans starting grid: Set by owners points