Newgarden wins Belle Isle Race #2 pole with dominating lap

Photo Credit: INDYCAR Photo

Qualifying for the second race in the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix doubleheader began under sunny skies, a drastic departure from the clouds and storms of yesterday. The field would use the same qualifying format as yesterday, with all 22 cars split into the same two groups but flipping the order of the groups.

Group 1 would start with all cars except Tony Kanaan starting on primary black tires. Race 1 polesitter Alexander Rossi would put in seven laps, leading the session with a 1:15.1825. The only drama of the session would occur when Rossi caught up to Takuma Sato and appeared to have been slowed up by Sato. Race control would review the incident, but take no action against Sato.

Group 1 Results

The second group would only stay green for 1:23 before a red flag came out due to water on the track. It appeared that something hit the tire barrier in Turn 6, causing a bunch of water to spill across the track. It would take crews over 45 minutes to dry the track but qualifying would resume. Race control would reset the clock, allowing the group to get their full time in qualifying.

The track would be busy for the twelve minutes, with Josef Newgarden taking the pole away from Rossi to earn his seventh career NTT IndyCar Series pole. Zach Veach would greatly improve his starting position over Race #1, starting 3rd in Race #2.

Will Power had a chance to steal the pole from his teammate but would clip the wall on his last lap and ruin his chances. Power will start 11^th.

Group 2 Results

Race #2 of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix doubleheader will broadcast live on NBC today at 3pm ET.