Alexander Rossi wins pole at 1st of 2 Detroit IndyCar races

alexander-rossi

Alexander Rossi autographs caps after qualifying for the pole for the first race of the IndyCar Detroit Grand Prix auto racing doubleheader. (Carlos Osorio/AP)

DETROIT — Alexander Rossi won his second pole of the season, leading qualifying for the first of two Detroit Grand Prix races.

The Andretti Autosport driver, coming off a second-place finish at the Indianapolis 500, turned the fastest lap Saturday in just more than 1 minute and 14 seconds on the 2.35-mile road course.

Josef Newgarden qualified second, followed by Scott Dixon and rookies Felix Rosenqvist and Colton Herta. Indy 500 champion and points leader Simon Pagenaud will start 13th in the 22-car field on Belle Isle.

Rossi has taken advantage of the pole to win four of six races, including this year at Long Beach. Rossi earned the pole at the last race in Detroit, but finished 12th after puncturing a tire.

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