Scott McLaughlin takes maiden Indycar pole after edging out Will Power in St. Petersburg
Scott McLaughlin has taken his first Indycar pole position in a last-lap attempt in St. Petersburg.
Aussie star Will Power set a track record of 59.3466 in the second qualifying session, but was edged out by McLaughlin in the final stage of qualifying.
"I love qualifying, and you’ve got to put it all on the line," said McLaughlin.
Scott McLaughlin celebrates his maiden Indycar pole position in St. Petersburg. (Penske Entertainment)
In his second full-time season of Indycar, McLaughlin said he was making progress with new Team Penske engineer Ben Bretzman.
"I’m working really well with Ben Bretzman."
"The DEX Imaging Chevy, the car is just phenomenal."
"I’m super proud of everyone. I just feel confident, and now I’m so happy."
Pole position is the Kiwi's best starting position in his Indycar career so far, after qualifying fifth at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course last year.
"I’m a competitive bloke, so I hate starting at the back," McLaughlin said.
"At the end of the day, it’s a new thing for me, starting from the front and leading a group into the first corner."
"I’m used to braking with people in front of me, so I’m going to have to make sure I don’t overshoot it like an idiot."
"I can’t wait for tomorrow."
"It’s going to be big."
Will Power during qualifying in St. Petersburg. (Penske Entertainment)
Will Power will start alongside McLaughlin in Florida after Team Penske locked out the front row.
"That was two good laps I did," said Power.
"I could have done better on the first; I made a little mistake on the back straight."
"I think Scott got the most out of it."
"That was a solid lap."
The Indycar Grand Prix of St. Petersburg gets underway 7.00am Monday on Stan Sport.
Indycar Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Qualifying - Result
Scott McLaughlin (NZ), Chevrolet, 59.4821 (108.940 mph)
Will Power (AUS), Chevrolet, 59.6058 (108.714)
Colton Herta, Honda, 59.7104 (108.524)
Rinus VeeKay, Chevrolet, 59.8102 (108.343)
Romain Grosjean, Honda, 59.8116 (108.340)
Simon Pagenaud, Honda, 1:00.2041 (107.634)
Scott Dixon (NZ), Honda, 59.7579 (108.438)
Marcus Ericsson, Honda, 59.8241 (108.318)
Josef Newgarden, Chevrolet, 59.8862 (108.205)
Alex Palou, Honda, 59.9584 (108.075)
Graham Rahal, Honda, 59.9870 (108.023)
Kyle Kirkwood, Chevrolet, 1:00.2616 (107.531)
Alexander Rossi, Honda, 59.9931 (108.012)
Dalton Kellett, Chevrolet, 59.9521 (108.086)
Christian Lundgaard, Honda, 1:00.0276 (107.950)
Pato O'Ward, Chevrolet, 1:00.0021 (107.996)
Helio Castroneves, Honda, 1:00.1426 (107.744)
Devlin DeFrancesco, Honda, 1:00.0850 (107.847)
Callum Ilott, Chevrolet, 1:00.2121 (107.620)
Conor Daly, Chevrolet, 1:00.1921 (107.655)
Felix Rosenqvist, Chevrolet, 1:00.3918 (107.299)
Takuma Sato, Honda, 1:00.2930 (107.475)
Jack Harvey, Honda, 1:00.5333 (107.049)
David Malukas, Honda, 1:00.4601 (107.178)
Tatiana Calderon, Chevrolet, 1:00.9391 (106.336)
Jimmie Johnson, Honda, 1:01.0273 (106.182)
