Last Year’s winner Alexander Rossi has had a great weekend so far at Mid-Ohio. Rossi announced early on Saturday that he would be back with Andretti Autosports. As time expired on qualifying, Rossi and his No. 27 NAPA Honda looked to be rolling from the pole.
Unfortunately for Rossi, a smart move made by Will Power’s Penske team gave Power his 57th pole. Rossi believes that Power ran a slower first lap in final round of qualifying. That allowed him to have slightly fresher tires.
This is Power’s third pole of the season and leaves him now 10 behind Mario Andretti. Power said after the race, he was aware and said it will take about 4 poles a year to surpass Mario, but it would be an amazing thing to do. I can see the number now, so it’s a real goal to do it.
As the final seconds ticked off of the clock on the fast 6th, Rossi set a blistering pace sitting 4 tents faster than the championship leader, Josef Newgarden. Then came Power turning a lap of 1:05:1589, 38 hundredths faster and doing that on the softer red tires.
Handling Issues
A lot of slipping and sliding on a warm afternoon at Mid-Ohio. Scott Dixon missed the fast six and see he was struggling with getting the car point in the right direction off the corner, and struggled with handle on entry. Dixon will start 8th, just behind one of the fastest cars all weekend, Colton Herta.
As Will Power came across the line, he was screaming on the radio “Take That, Take That!”. I knew it was fast Power said, He added, there was a fire burning on that final lap, he didn’t want to come up short.
Power said on pit lane, he’s lost to many of these and just wanted to “Stick it to them.” I wanted this one bad. Power added, it’s great for confidence, it’s great for the team and we’ll be really good tomorrow for the race.
In The “Power Zone”
For many athletes, they get in to a zone during key moments of an event, when asked about what that final lap felt like, Power Said. I just got in to a zone. I knew the lap was coming because when I get in to that zone–Everything is perfect. Power described it, saying musicians would understand how it is just before performing.
Rossi said the car was really balanced, they just never really got the chance run on reds during practice. We’ll have a good car tomorrow and it will be a real battle for sure.
For Will Power, he was asked after qualifying if he expects to domiate tomorrows race. “No, because IndyCar has a rule that allows the back markers to race the leaders. I think it’s dumb he adds. With last years winner and a very determined Will Power. The front of the field will be as competitive as ever, or they will lock up nose to tail and run away with the show to battle among themselves.
Results
Qualifying results for all three rounds for the Honda Indy 200
1 12 Power, Will D/C/F 01:05.1569 124.757 Round 3 / Firestone Fast Six
2 27 Rossi, Alexander D/H/F 01:05.5317 124.044 Round 3 / Firestone Fast Six
3 2 Newgarden, Josef D/C/F 01:05.7885 123.560 Round 3 / Firestone Fast Six
4 22 Pagenaud, Simon D/C/F 01:05.8958 123.358 Round 3 / Firestone Fast Six
5 18 Bourdais, Sebastien D/H/F 01:06.2040 122.784 Round 3 / Firestone Fast Six
6 10 Rosenqvist, Felix (R) D/H/F 01:06.4914 122.253 Round 3 / Firestone Fast Six
Top 12
7 88 Herta, Colton (R) D/H/F 01:05.5650 123.981 Elimination Round 2 / Top 12
8 9 Dixon, Scott D/H/F 01:05.6999 123.726 Elimination Round 2 / Top 12
9 60 Harvey, Jack D/H/F 01:05.7231 123.683 Elimination Round 2 / Top 12
10 28 Hunter-Reay, Ryan D/H/F 01:05.7328 123.664 Elimination Round 2 / Top 12
11 5 Hinchcliffe, James D/H/F 01:05.7567 123.619 Elimination Round 2 / Top 12
12 7 Ericsson, Marcus (R) D/H/F 01:06.0428 123.084 Elimination Round 2 / Top 12
Round 1
13 21 Pigot, Spencer D/C/F 01:05.9377 123.280 Elimination Round 1 / Group 1
14 19 Ferrucci, Santino (R) D/H/F 01:05.7588 123.615 Elimination Round 1 / Group 2
15 15 Rahal, Graham D/H/F 01:05.9745 123.211 Elimination Round 1 / Group 1
16 59 Chilton, Max D/C/F 01:05.9981 123.167 Elimination Round 1 / Group 2
17 30 Sato, Takuma D/H/F 01:06.3723 122.473 Elimination Round 1 / Group 1
18 20 Jones, Ed D/C/F 01:06.1800 122.829 Elimination Round 1 / Group 2
19 98 Andretti, Marco D/H/F 01:06.4156 122.393 Elimination Round 1 / Group 1
20 26 Veach, Zach D/H/F 01:06.2115 122.770 Elimination Round 1 / Group 2
21 4 Leist, Matheus D/C/F 01:06.5488 122.148 Elimination Round 1 / Group 1
22 31 Enerson, RC (R) D/C/F 01:06.3196 122.570 Elimination Round 1 / Group 2
23 14 Kanaan, Tony D/C/F 01:07.0491 121.237 Elimination Round 1 / Group 2
