Reigning Verizon IndyCar Series champion Will Power set a track record in the process of earning pole position for the first of two races this weekend on Detroit's Belle Isle.
The Raceway at Belle Isle track record fell during the Fast 6 of qualifying as Will Power went to the top of the time sheets within the final two minutes of the session. With only a few events having been held on the new configuation of the circuit that sees a long straightaway between Turns 2 and 3, the aero kits and repaving of the circuit perhaps played their part in the new track record being set by Power. The previous track record (1:16.1371) was set last year by Takuma Sato - who will be starting fourth in Saturday's Race 1.
The new track record and Power's fast lap time that earned him pole was a 1:16.0941. The top three are from the Penske stable, with Sato, Simon Pagenaud, and Sebastien Bourdais rounding out the top six. Completing the top 10 are Scott Dixon, Stefano Coletti, Marco Andretti, and James Jakes.
Completing the top 15 are Tristan Vautier, Sage Karam, Graham Rahal, Jack Hawksworth, and Tony Kanaan. Kanaan will start 15th on the grid after not advancing from Group 1.
The top eight is occupied by seven Chevrolet-powered cars; Takuma Sato in fourth is one of three Hondas in the top 10.
The green flag is set to fly for Race 1 on Saturday at approximately 3:50 pm ET. Follow @VAVELIndyCar for live tweets and photos from the race track in Detroit all weekend long.
Aaron Durant is the editor of the VAVEL USA Racing section. Follow him on Twitter at @DoubleA291.