The Sports Xchange
Will Power takes pole for IndyCar season opener
Will Power drove to the top of the qualifying list Saturday for Sunday’s season-opening Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg IZOD IndyCar race.
Power covered the 1.8 mile St. Petersburg Street Circuit in his Dallara-Chevrolet at a time of 01:01.2070 (105.870 mph). Takuma Sato ran a surprising second, with a qualifying time of 01:01.5776 (105.233 mph), followed by Simona de Silvestro at 01:01.7670 (104.910 mph).
Fourth through 10th were James Hinchcliffe (01:01.8229, 104.816), Helio Castroneves (01:01.8991, 104.686), Tristan Vautier (01:02.0645, 104.408), Marco Andretti (01:01.6883, 105.044), Ryan Hunter-Reay (01:01.7339, 104.967), Sebastian Saavedra 01:01.7944, 104.864) and Dario Franchitti (01:01.8150, 104.829).
Other notables included 11th quickest Tony Kanaan (01:01.9139, 104.661), 12th quickest Oriol Servia (01:02.1483, 104.267), 15th Graham Rahal (01:02.2709, 104.061). 20th Scott Dixon (01:02.1715, 104.228) and 21st Sebastien Bourdais (01:02.6537, 103.426).
The 25-driver field was rather speedy, as only Power and 25th-place qualifier Ana Beatriz were separated by just over two seconds (Beatriz qualified last at a time of 01.03.2551 at 102.442 mph).
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