Alex Palou Secures Third Consecutive Pole Position Ahead of Detroit Grand Prix

Detroit — Will Power, the driver with the most pole positions in IndyCar history, had hoped to finally claim a pole this season. However, Alex Palou, the current points leader, had other plans. On Saturday, Palou clinched his third consecutive pole position and the 16th of his career at the 1.7-mile, nine-turn Detroit Grand Prix circuit, setting the stage for Sunday’s race.

Power initially led the pack with a lap time of 1:02.1249 in the Andretti Global No. 26 TWG AI Honda. Yet, Palou outpaced him, clocking in at 01:01.9017 in the No. 10 HRC Chip Ganassi Racing Honda during the Firestone Fast Six qualifying session. “I was close to pole, man,” Power remarked, acknowledging Palou’s speed. “Damn. Just that one guy all the time.”

Palou, a four-time IndyCar champion and winner of the last three titles, has showcased his versatility by achieving these three consecutive poles on different types of circuits throughout May, including the road course at Indianapolis and the Indianapolis 500 oval. “I knew I left a little on the table, and you definitely scooped that up,” Power told Palou after qualifying.

Palou expressed his excitement about the pole, stating, “It’s super satisfying. It’s incredible. Poles are cool, (but) it doesn’t pay as much as tomorrow. Sadly, we haven’t won any of the last two races that we started on pole.” He aims for his fourth win in eight races this season.

Joining Palou and Power on the front row will be Scott McLaughlin, driving the No. 3 Clarience Technologies Team Penske Chevrolet, and six-time champion Scott Dixon in the No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. Defending race champion Kyle Kirkwood, who led the morning practice, qualified sixth after experiencing tire issues during the session. Meanwhile, David Malukas crashed in Turn 7 and will start from the back of the 25-car field.

With a 37-point lead over Malukas in the championship standings, Palou has the opportunity to extend his advantage in the upcoming Grand Prix. Power anticipates a challenging race, describing the Detroit track as an “epic” driving experience with little room for error.