Will Power breaks the pole record and is getting closer to the title

09/11/2022 at 01:25

EST


With 68 poles, he breaks the record of the legendary Mario Andretti

Now he takes 21 to his two maximum competitors, Newgarden and Dixon

Australian driver Will PowerIndyCar championship leader, lived this Saturday a magical day in Laguna Secathe last race of the season, by achieving his pole number 68 with which he broke the historical record held by the legendary Mario Andretti with 67.

Right after getting out of the car after qualifying, Power (Team Penske) received the congratulations in person from Andretti himselfwho defined this new brand as “impressive”.

“You could see it coming and it’s beautiful. It’s a big thing for IndyCar and a big thing for the sport.”Andretti said on the US broadcast.

“I can’t celebrate too much because I have to be focused on tomorrow’s race,” said Power, who, although he assured that he did not have the record in mind, did he admitted that the pole mark is “a tremendous milestone” for him.

“Being there with an iconic guy like Mario is amazing,” he said.

With this pole, Power also got an extra point for the overall ranking.

Now He has 524 points and takes 21 out of his two top competitors: American Josef Newgarden (Team Penske) and New Zealander Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing).

Further away appear the Swedish Marcus Ericson (Chip Ganassi Racing) with 484 points and the New Zealander Scott McLaughlin (Team Penske) with 482

Power, who already won the IndyCar in 2014, he will be champion without depending on anyone if he manages to finish in the top three at Laguna Seca.

Apart from his pole position record, the best news for the championship leader this Saturday was that none of his rivals for the crown slipped into the “Fast 6” of the classification.

Thus, McLaughlin will start eighth in the final race, Ericsson will occupy tenth position, Dixon posted the 13th fastest time in qualifying and Newgarden will be penultimate (25 of 26) after going off the track.

On the other hand, the Spanish Alex Palou (Chip Ganassi Racing), current IndyCar champion, and the Mexican Duck O’Ward (Arrow McLaren) were fifth and sixth in the standings, respectively.

Neither Palou nor O’Ward have a mathematical chance of getting the title.

Difficulties for applicants

The difficulty of tracing Laguna Seca was decisive in the classification this Saturdayleaving out two candidates like Newgarden and Dixon at the first change while Power took a run.

The focus was on qualifying group one, which included all title contenders except Power.

The stress and complexity of this circuit took its toll on several of them since only Ericsson and McLaughlin made that cut.

Both Newgarden and DixonPower’s two main pursuers in the championship, they were out in that round and they will start this Sunday from the furthest positions of the grid.

Dixon, in position 13, blamed the poor choice of tires to face the qualifying day.

“It’s frustrating, strategy is going to be key tomorrowespecially with the choice of wheels,” he said.

Nevertheless, Newgarden took the worst part, since he lost control of his car by tracing the famous ‘corkscrew’ of the Californian circuit, he was left off the track with no possibility of returning and, therefore, was eliminated from the next qualifying phase.

He will start the race from position number 25 and he is forced to touch perfection and have a lot of luck to proclaim himself champion.

The frustration was evident on his face when he attended the media: “This isn’t over yet, but it’s not the ideal situation.”

They did pass the first cut Ericsson and McLaughlin to be among the twelve fastest drivers, but they also stayed out of the “Fast 6” with which Power has the wind totally in his favor to proclaim himself champion this Sunday.

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