Team Penske’s Will Power to start on pole at IndyCar Classic

Will Power (12), of Australia, steers through a turn during an open practice session for the IndyCar Classic auto race, Saturday, March 23, 2019, in Austin, Texas. (Eric Gay/AP)

AUSTIN, Texas — Will Power topped qualifying at the inaugural IndyCar Classic on Saturday, edging Alexander Rossi at the Circuit of the Americas.

The Team Penske driver earned his second pole position in two races this season and 56th of his career with a lap of 1 minute, 46.0177 seconds. Power started first at St. Petersburg, Florida, and finished third to teammate Josef Newgarden.

Power can earn a $100,000 bonus if he can back it up with a race victory on Sunday.

IndyCar is racing for the first time at the track built for Formula One that opened in 2012. The 3.41-mile course is one of the longest of the IndyCar season.

Rookie Colton Herta of Hardin Steinbrenner Racing made a late push for pole position but slipped to fourth. James Hinchcliffe of Oakville, Ont., was 15th.

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