Will Power Achieves Historic 700th Pole for Team Penske at WWTR

MADISON, Illinois — Will Power, a seasoned driver for Team Penske, marked a significant milestone in his racing career by earning his 700th pole position across all series during the NTT P1 Award qualifying session for the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 on Saturday at World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR). This achievement also extends Power's impressive record to 71 career poles in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

Power secured this milestone with a two-lap average speed of 180.329 mph in his No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, leading a front-row lockout for his team, which also saw Scott McLaughlin qualify second at 179.783 mph in the No. 3 DEX Imaging Team Penske Chevrolet. This marks the fifth pole for Power at the 1.25-mile oval, where he previously claimed victory in 2018.

"I sent it a lot," Power said. "I knew you would have to... I wasn’t quite flat, but I was very, very close. It’s been a while since I’ve had a pole, so I’m really excited. Hopefully we can execute in the race. It would be awesome to get a win here." The 260-lap race will take place at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, broadcasted live on FOX and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

Despite the impressive qualifying results, Team Penske has faced challenges in the current season, with the team yet to reach victory lane. Power, McLaughlin, and teammate Josef Newgarden have only managed third-place finishes in their best outings. A win at WWTR would not only enhance team morale but also solidify their historical dominance in the INDYCAR SERIES, where they hold the record for the most wins.

The conditions during the qualifying session were notably favorable, with an arrival of light cloud cover that reduced the track temperature by nearly 10 degrees, benefiting the drivers towards the end of the 27-car qualifying line. David Malukas qualified fourth at 179.079 mph in the No. 4 Clarience Technologies Chevrolet, representing A.J. Foyt Enterprises, a team that has a technical alliance with Team Penske. Josef Newgarden rounded out the top five with a speed of 178.910 mph in the No. 2 PPG Team Penske Chevrolet.

Power's recent performance comes at a crucial point in the season, particularly as championship leader Alex Palou, who has won five out of seven races this season, qualified ninth at 178.381 mph in the No. 10 Ridgeline Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. The race's outcome could significantly impact the championship standings and the dynamics within the INDYCAR SERIES as they head into the latter part of the season.

As the drivers prepare for the race, the anticipation builds not only for individuals like Power and his teammates but also for fans who have witnessed the evolution of INDYCAR racing. With each pole and each race, the legacy of Team Penske continues to grow, underscoring their status as a powerhouse in motorsports.