Team Penske asserted its dominance on the opening day of qualifying for the 108th Indianapolis 500, sweeping the top three positions among the drivers who advanced to Sunday’s battle for the NTT P1 Award pole position.
Will Power led the Penske charge by posting the fastest four-lap average of 233.758 mph in his No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet. Reigning Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden was second at 233.332 mph, followed by Scott McLaughlin’s 233.293 mph in the No. 3 Pennzoil entry.
If the Penske trio can hold onto the top three spots after Sunday’s qualifying, it will mark just the second time in Indianapolis 500 history that one team has swept the front row. Penske previously accomplished the feat in 1988.
“It was a good, smooth run,” Power said. “We would have liked to have run in the heat, but (team owner) Roger (Penske) didn’t want us to go out. I think (Alexander) Rossi is the one who could break up the all-Penske front row, but I think one of us (Penske) will get the pole.” Continue reading Team Penske Flexes Muscle in Indy 500 Qualifying Day 1