Josef Newgarden has been the hottest driver in the paddock this season and the points leader continued his dominant march by winning the pole for the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway on Friday.
Newgarden had a two-lap average speed of 186.508 miles per hour (48.2554 seconds) on the 1.25-mile oval to claim his second NTT P1 Award of the 2019 season. His other pole came in the second race at Belle Isle in Detroit. Newgarden won the 2017 race at Gateway and looks to put a stamp on his near perfect 2019 campaign.
Newgarden extends his points lead to 36 over Alexander Rossi, courtesy of the one point recieved for winning a P1 Award.
The SealMaster team of Sebestien Bourdais proved that their recent runs at Mid-Ohio and Iowa weren't flukes. The Frenchman notched his season-best start of second with his two-lap average of 185.927 mph (48.4062). Bourdais looks to score his first win on an oval in nearly five seasons, having won at Milwaukee back in 2015.
Team Penske flexed their muscles once again, putting all three of their drivers into the top five. Will Power qualified third at 185.896 mph (48.4142) and Simon Pagenaud was fourth at 185.143 mph (48.6110).
Takuma Sato is looking to rebound after his controversial race in Pocono one week ago. The Japanese racer will roll off the grid fifth with an average of 185.050 mph (48.6356).
Rookie Santino Ferrucci was fastest in first practice, he will start sixth. James Hinchcliffe will start seventh with Scott Dixon rolling off behind him in eighth. Ryan Hunter-Reay and Felix Rosenqvist, who has been medically cleared following the Pocono crash, completed the top ten starters.
Alexander Rossi will have some work to do come raceday, the No.27 NAPA Auto Parts Honda will start 11th come raceday. Following a wicked save during qualifying.
Marco Andretti will start shotgun on the field.
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