Will Power Sets IZOD IndyCar Record, Captures the Pole at Sonoma

Will Power drove to the head of the field during qualifications on Saturday at Infineon Raceway, and took home his eighth Peak Pole Award for the year, an IZOD IndyCar Series record.

Power will be joined in the front row for Sunday's race with the previous holder of the record, fellow teammate Helio Castroneves.  Castroneves set the mark in 2007, but Power's dominance on road and street courses have seen him atop the field at the start in seven of the nine races.  This qualifying skill and the track position that it gives Power is a major reason why he is sitting 42 points ahead in the Championship.

Power nearly missed out of the Firestone Fast Six, however, as the team thought their early run in the round of 12 was fast enough to save a set of quicker sticker red tires.  As Power sat and watched behind pit wall, other drivers began to pick up speed, and Power found himself sitting in seventh with just a few moments left.

His team quickly threw on new tires, and Power took off onto the track to go all out.  Power pushed the car to its limits and was able to make it into the Fast Six despite not even having the tires up to temperature yet. Power said later, "I wasn't sure I was going to pull it off in the second round of qualifying.  I was two-tenths off from the Fast Six.  I'm really stoked to get the Verizon team a record eight poles this season."

The feat is quite an accomplishment for the young Australian who just two years ago was in danger of exiting the IZOD IndyCar Series.  While competing with KV Racing, Power knew he was in trouble at the mid-summer race at Watkins Glen. 

Power went so far to say that he was contacting Aussie teams to compete in the V8 Super Car Series.  However, Power wound up as a temporary replacement for Helio Castroneves at Penske Racing, and has made the most of his first full time season with the team this year.

Power spoke about Penske Racing, "The organization gives you a ton of confidence.  I am with the right team and the right teammates.  It's great to be with Penske."

Five of the six spots in the Firestone Fast Six were claimed by Penske and Chip Ganassi Racing, with Alex Taglianni making his second fast six of the year.  Taggs will start fourth on Sunday. 

Helio Castroneves just missed the pole, with his time being just .037 seconds behind Power, who ran his fast time with just a few moments remaining in qualifying.

Dario Franchitti will start third and work to chase down Power and attempt to narrow the gap in the championship points lead.  With Power's pole win, Franchitti now has to make up a forty two point deficit with just five races to go.  Franchitti noted, "We are going to focus on doing our best and not worry about what Will is doing." 

Power had a different idea however, conceding that the points championship will likely come down to him and Franchitti.  "We are aware we are racing Dario.  We will watch him and basically keep the same strategy and pit sequence as his team."

Power continued to discuss the points race. "This is fun, but stressful.  We don't want to make a mistake.  I think Dario is much more relaxed than I am since he has won two Indianapolis 500s and two points championships."

Even if he cannot finish the season and win the points, Power's season will go down in the record books.  His dominance on road courses this year has been truly spectacular and allowed him to amass a large lead.  Earning seven of the nine poles on road courses, to go along with his pole award at Iowa Speedway gained Power a spot in the records books.  It will be how he closes the season on the four ovals that will determine if he can win the season championship to go along with his Mario Andretti Road Course Championship.

All the action at the race tomorrow can be seen live on Versus, starting at 5 pm eastern time.