ANDERSON, Ind. — The run for the pole for the 76th running of the Little 500 became a waiting game as teams worked to find the right set-up for a slick Anderson Speedway.
Most of the activity Thursday took place in the final hour as teams made their attempt to lock into the fastest 15 to lock into the field for Saturday’s race.
For most of the afternoon Davey Hamilton Jr. sat on the provisional pole position, but he will start sixth.
Defending race winner Jake Trainor claimed the top spot for a few minutes with a four-lap average of 79.9 mph.
Dakoda Armstrong then posted the fast time of the day but watched as first Tyler Roahrig and then Emerson Axsom turned four quicker laps.
Axsom, driving for Nolen Racing, claimed the pole position with a four-lap average of 80.76 mph with Roahrig starting in the middle of the front row with an average speed of 80.65 mph.
“There was some oil point down during the last practice and we just let it get run a little bit,” Axsom said. “We had all day to wait around and go when we were ready.”
He said Roahrig went out just before his qualifying run so the team had a time to chase.
“I wish Gene (Nolen) was here, that’s why I’m able to drive this car,” Axsom said. “I know he’s watching, but I wish he was here.”
Axsom said starting on the front row, lapped traffic comes up fast.
“Just run your own race instead of having to fight your way to the front,” Axsom said. “Never know here in qualifying here, so you don’t know who is showing their hand. Every time we hit the track; we were turning some of the fastest laps.”
Armstrong said he didn’t expect his qualifying run to standup for the front-row starting spot.
“It was a pretty good run for us,” he said. “We were terrible in the practice sessions. We couldn’t get the car to turn. The track changed so much, but it came to us.”
Three-time race winner Kody Swanson qualified eighth and Ryan Newman posted the 12th fastest time.
Anthony Nocella was the fastest rookie in qualifying and will start 13th.
Although there were 44 drivers entered for the race, only 32 drivers took times. Track officials expect several more teams to attempt to make the starting field Friday on the traditional “bump day”.
The results: 1) Emerson Axsom; 2) Tyler Roahrig; 3) Dakoda Armstrong; 4) Logan Seavey; 5) Jake Trainor; 6) Davey Hamilton Jr.; 7) CJ Leary; 8) Kody Swanson; 9) Caleb Armstrong; 10) Billy Wease; 11) Bobby Santos III; 12) Ryan Newman; 13) Anthony Nocella; 14) Justin Grant; 15) Bryan Gossel; 16) Shane Hollingsworth; 17) Jackson Macenko; 18) Kyle O’Gara; 19) Donnie Adams Jr.; 20) Scott Hampton; 21) Justin Harper; 22) Shane Butler; 23) Brady Allum; 24) Travis Welpott; 25) Tony Main; 26) Trey Burke; 27) Garrett Saunders; 28) Scotty Adema; 29) Chris Jagger; 30) Jeff Bloom: 31) Rob Keesling; 32) Kerry Kobza