Will Power Pole Win & Penske Front Row at WWTR

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Will Power Powers Team Penske to Historic 700th Pole at Bommarito 500 Qualifying

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Madison, IL – Will Power etched his name further into Team Penske lore on Saturday, securing the team’s milestone 700th pole position across all racing series during NTT P1 Award qualifying for the Bommarito Automotive group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline. The IndyCar Series veteran led a Team Penske front-row sweep at World Wide Technology Raceway, signaling a potential resurgence for the powerhouse team.

Power’s Dominant Run Breaks Pole Drought

Power, driving the No. 12 verizon team Penske Chevrolet,clocked a two-lap average speed of 180.329 mph on the 1.25-mile oval, claiming his frist pole as July 2023 at Iowa Speedway. This also marks the 71st pole of his career, further extending his IndyCar Series record. Scott McLaughlin, in the No. 3 DEX Imaging Team Penske Chevrolet, secured the second spot with an average speed of 179.783 mph, solidifying Team Penske’s dominance in qualifying.

This pole position is Power’s fifth at WWTR, where he previously clinched a victory in 2018.

I sent it a lot, Power said after his qualifying run. I knew you would have to. You’d have to drive it flat in (Turns) 3 and 4. I wasn’t quite flat, but I was very, very close. He added, Cool, man. It’s been a while since I’ve had a pole, so really, really excited. Hopefully we can execute in the race. Man, it would be awesome to get a win here.

Team Penske Seeks First Victory of the Season

The 260-lap race, the second oval event of the season, is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, broadcast on FOX, FOX Sports app, and INDYCAR Radio Network.A win by Power,McLaughlin,or teammate Josef Newgarden would be a significant boost for Team Penske,which,despite it’s storied history,is still seeking its first victory of the 2025 IndyCar Series season. Their best results thus far have been single third-place finishes by each driver.

O’Ward Breaks Penske’s Stranglehold, Palou Struggles

Pato O’Ward, driving the no. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, qualified third at 179.190 mph, breaking up what could have been a Team Penske sweep of the top three.The cooler track conditions, thanks to the arrival of cloud cover, benefited drivers later in the 27-car qualifying order, dropping the track temperature by nearly 10 degrees.

David Malukas, in the No. 4 Clarience Technologies Chevrolet of A.J. Foyt Enterprises (which has a technical alliance with Team Penske), qualified fourth at 179.079 mph. Josef Newgarden, a five-time winner at WWTR, rounded out the top five in the No. 2 PPG Team Penske Chevrolet with a speed of 178.910 mph.

Marcus Armstrong, piloting the No. 66 SiriusXM/Root Insurance Honda for Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb-Agajanian, qualified sixth at 178.754 mph, making him the fastest Honda-powered driver. Chevy engines powered the top five qualifiers, highlighting their performance advantage in qualifying.

Championship leader Alex Palou, who has dominated the season with five wins in seven races, qualified a disappointing ninth at 178.381 mph in the No. 10 Ridgeline Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. This could present an opportunity for his rivals to close the points gap in the race.

The Road Ahead: Strategy and Tire Management Key to Victory

With Team Penske starting strong, the Bommarito 500 promises to be a thrilling race. However, oval racing is notoriously unpredictable. Strategy, pit stops, and tire management will be crucial for any team hoping to reach victory lane. Can Team Penske finally break their winless streak, or will another contender emerge to challenge their dominance? Tune in Sunday night to find out.

Fans should keep an eye on tire degradation, as the abrasive surface of WWTR can quickly wear down tires, impacting handling and speed. Teams will need to carefully manage their tire allocation throughout the race to maintain a competitive pace.

The race also presents a strategic challenge for teams. With limited passing opportunities, track position will be paramount. Expect to see a variety of pit strategies as teams try to gain an advantage over their rivals.

While Chevy showed dominance in qualifying,Honda teams will be looking to close the gap in race trim. Alex Palou, despite his ninth-place start, is a master strategist and could still be a factor in the race.

Ultimately, the Bommarito 500 is shaping up to be a classic oval battle, with Team Penske looking to reassert their dominance and other teams eager to challenge for the win.

Key Qualifying Data & Insights: Bommarito 500

To further illustrate the qualifying results and provide a rapid overview, here’s a table summarizing key data points from the NTT IndyCar Series Bommarito Automotive Group 500 qualifying at World Wide Technology Raceway:

Position Driver Car Number team Engine Average Speed (mph) Notes
1 Will Power 12 Team penske Chevrolet 180.329 71st Career Pole, 5th at WWTR
2 Scott McLaughlin 3 Team Penske Chevrolet 179.783 Team Penske Front Row Sweep
3 Pato O’Ward 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet 179.190 Broke Penske’s Top 2
4 David Malukas 4 A.J. Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet 179.079 Technical Alliance with Penske
5 Josef Newgarden 2 Team Penske Chevrolet 178.910 5-time WWTR Winner
6 Marcus Armstrong 66 Meyer Shank Racing Honda 178.754 Fastest Honda
9 Alex Palou 10 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda 178.381 Championship Leader, Qualified 9th

This table highlights the key drivers and their performance in the 2025 Bommarito 500 qualifying.It underscores Team Penske’s dominance and the varying strategies employed by teams, including the technical alliances and engine choices

FAQ: Bommarito 500 Qualifying

To enhance your understanding of the race and provide greater value, here’s a frequently asked questions (FAQ) section that addresses key aspects of the Bommarito 500 qualifying:

  1. What is the Bommarito 500?

    The Bommarito Automotive Group 500 is an IndyCar Series race held annually at world Wide Technology raceway (WWTR) in Madison, Illinois. It’s an oval race that tests the teams’ ability to navigate the high speeds and challenging conditions on the 1.25-mile track.

  2. Why is Team Penske’s 700th pole position significant?

    The 700th pole position marks a historic milestone for Team Penske, signifying their consistent success and dominance across various racing series. It demonstrates their expertise and commitment to excellence.

  3. How many laps is the bommarito 500?

    The race consists of 260 laps, making it a test of endurance and strategic planning for both drivers and their teams.

  4. What are the key factors for success in an oval race like the Bommarito 500?

    Key factors include tire management, pit stop strategy, and track position. Oval races are frequently enough decided by small margins, making every decision crucial.

  5. how can I watch the Bommarito 500?

    The race will be broadcast live on FOX, the FOX Sports app, and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

  6. What is the importance of engine choice (Chevrolet vs. Honda)?

    Engine performance plays a crucial role in qualifying and the race. In this qualifying, Chevrolet-powered cars showed a performance advantage, but Honda teams, like Chip Ganassi Racing, frequently enough demonstrate strong race day strategies. Engine choice affects not only raw speed but also fuel efficiency and tire wear.

  7. Will Team Penske’s dominance in qualifying translate into a win?

    While Team Penske has a strong starting position, oval racing is unpredictable.Race strategy, pit stops, and tire degradation will play key roles, and other teams have a chance to challenge for the win.The race remains open, and numerous factors will decide the final result.

  8. How does the weather affect the race?

    Weather conditions, like the cooler temperatures during qualifying, can impact car performance. Drivers may face different challenges depending on the track temperature and other atmospheric conditions. In particular, cooler temperatures can provide more grip and allow for faster lap times, and they can change tire strategy.

This FAQ section addresses common questions and provides additional insights. We strive to provide data that covers all of the key aspects of the race.

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Aiko Tanaka

Aiko Tanaka is a combat sports journalist and general sports reporter at Archysport. A former competitive judoka who represented Japan at the Asian Games, Aiko brings firsthand athletic experience to her coverage of judo, martial arts, and Olympic sports. Beyond combat sports, Aiko covers breaking sports news, major international events, and the stories that cut across disciplines — from doping scandals to governance issues to the business side of global sport. She is passionate about elevating the profile of underrepresented sports and athletes.

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