Marco Andretti has qualified on pole position for the season deciding final round of the IZOD IndyCar Series at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana today.
Championship points leader Will Power qualified third fastest for the 500-mile race, while his title compatriot Ryan Hunter-Reay could only manage the 17th fastest time on the oval circuit.
Despite his strong showing in qualifying, Power was one of 14 entries, which including Hunter-Reay, that incurred a 10 spot grid penalty for changing engines before the race.
Power was not fazed by the penalty, stating that grid position will mean little come race day.
“It’s one of those races where you can be a half-lap down and come back to win the race,” said Power, to which Hunter-Reay replied, “I agree; Will should start a half-lap back.”
Hunter-Reay was disappointed with his run in qualifying but remained optimistic for the 500-mile race.
“Not a great qualifying run for us but it’s a 500-mile race so really not that bummed about it,” said Hunter-Reay.
“We just hadn’t dialed our qualifying trim in with the DHL/Sun Drop car and that caught us out a bit. We missed the balance and (the car) took off on me a bit there at the exit. It was definitely hard to put a good two laps together.
“We’ve been focusing on the race though. That’s the big thing.”
Qualifying, IndyCar, Fontana
1. (26) Marco Andretti, Dallara-Chevy, 216.069
2. (2) Ryan Briscoe, Dallara-Chevy, 216.058
3. (12) Will Power, Dallara-Chevy, 215.940
4. (67) Josef Newgarden, Dallara-Honda, 215.919
5. (9) Scott Dixon, Dallara-Honda, 215.391
6. (98) Alex Tagliani, Dallara-Honda, 215.226
7. (11) Tony Kanaan, Dallara-Chevy, 214.877
8. (4) JR Hildebrand, Dallara-Chevy, 214.749
9. (20) Ed Carpenter, Dallara-Chevy, 214.684
10. (3) Helio Castroneves, Dallara-Chevy, 214.409
11. (38) Graham Rahal, Dallara-Honda, 214.015
12. (27) James Hinchcliffe, Dallara-Chevy, 213.726
13. (8) Rubens Barrichello, Dallara-Chevy, 213.527
14. (6) Katherine Legge, Dallara-Chevy, 213.308
15. (77) Simon Pagenaud, Dallara-Honda, 213.282
16. (15) Takuma Sato, Dallara-Honda, 213.222
17. (28) Ryan Hunter-Reay, Dallara-Chevy, 212.773
18. (22) Oriol Servia, Dallara-Chevy, 212.533
19. (10) Dario Franchitti, Dallara-Honda, 211.999
20. (83) Charlie Kimball, Dallara-Honda, 211.531
21. (17) Sebastian Saavedra, Dallara-Chevy, 210.619
22. (5) EJ Viso, Dallara-Chevy, 210.134
23. (14) Wade Cunningham, Dallara-Honda, 209.526
24. (19) James Jakes, Dallara-Honda, 208.056
25. (18) Justin Wilson, Dallara-Honda, No speed
26. (78) Simona de Silvestro, Dallara-Lotus, No speed
