ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Second-year NTT IndyCar Series driver Scott McLaughlin used every inch of the racing line during Saturday’s Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg qualifying session.
The result was his first NTT IndyCar Series pole thanks to a 59.4821-second lap around the 1.8-mile, 14-turn temporary street course in the No. 3 Team Penske Chevrolet.
McLaughlin, a three-time Australian Supercars champion before joining IndyCar last year, had a previous best qualifying effort of fifth.
LINEUP: Firestone Grand Prix Of St. Petersburg
“I love qualifying, you have to put it all on the line,” McLaughlin said as he got out of the car. “Super proud of everyone. I feel confident. I’m a competitive bloke, so I hate starting in the back, but it’s a new thing for me.
“I’ll be starting from the front leading a group to the first corner. I’m used to braking with people in front of me, so I’ll have to make sure I don’t overshoot it like an idiot, but we’ll have fun. Appreciate all the fans coming out and can’t wait for tomorrow, show’s going to be big.”
In addition to winning his first IndyCar pole, McLaughlin had to beat the best qualifier at St. Petersburg. That was nine-time St. Petersburg pole winner and Team Penske teammate Will Power, whose best lap was 59.6058 seconds in the No. 12 Chevrolet.
“It was close,” Power said. “That was two good laps I did. I could have done better on two laps, but Scott got the most out of it with the pole lap.
“I’m always thinking of the championship. A race win is always nice. Take it as it comes. I know the game pretty well. See if we can’t get the Verizon car to the finish line now.”
Power is attempting to win the Firestone Grand Prix for the third time in his career.
Defending Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg race winner Colton Herta was third at 59.7104 seconds in the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda for Andretti Autosport.
Rinus VeeKay was fourth in the No. 21 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet at 59.8102 seconds, followed by Romain Grosjean at 59.8116 seconds for Andretti Autosport.
Meyer-Shank Racing driver Simon Pagenaud rounded out the Firestone Fast Six at 1:00.2041.
Herta set the track record of 59.4662 seconds in the first group in the first round.
Chip Ganassi Racing drivers struggled for speed during qualifying, with Scott Dixon, Marcus Ericsson and Alex Palou failing to advance to the Fast Six. Jimmie Johnson did not advance out of his qualifying group in the first round.
Sunday’s race begins at Noon EST on NBC.