Power fastest in St. Pete, but lost pole

Will Power

Will Power has put the IndyCar Series paddock on notice by qualifying second for only his second ever IndyCar Series race at the Honda Grand Prix of St Petersburg in Florida today.

Power put the #8 Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia Honda/Dallara/Firestone on the top of the timesheets in the opening two segments of qualifying in an outstanding effort, before clinching a front row starting position for tomorrow’s race in the final shootout for pole, the Firestone Fast Six.

The Australian’s reaction to the feat showed just how determined Power is for success in the newly unified IndyCar Series. Despite only driving a Honda-powered Dallara IndyCar on one previous occasion on a road course in a test at Sebring, Power was disappointed that he did not get pole position, which went to 2004 IndyCar Series Champion Tony Kanaan.

Will Power

Power was the fastest car in his group in qualifying in the new knockout Peak Motor Oil Pole Qualifying road/street course system and progressed into the next segment of 12 cars. From there the 27-year-old again qualified fastest, moving into the final six-car shootout for the pole – the Firestone Fast Six.

In the final shootout Power was second, only 0.0774 behind Kanaan’s time. Power’s time in the second segment of qualifying would have easily put him on pole, leading to the Toowoomba-born driver feeling slightly frustrated he did not bring home the pole in only his second IndyCar race.