Will Power Puts Chevrolet on the Pole at Mid-Ohio with New Track Record
LEXINGTON, Ohio – August 4, 2012 – Will Power, No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, set a new track record of 1:05:6474/123.825 mph (time/speed) on the way to his third pole of 2012. Power will lead the 25-car field to the green flag for tomorrow’s Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio for the IZOD IndyCar Series.
It is Power’s second pole at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, and the 27th of his career. His other 2012 poles came at St. Petersburg and Sao Paulo, Brazil. The difference in the times from fastest to sixth in the Firestone Fast Six was just over five-tenths of a second.
“Congratulations to Will Power and Team Penske on their pole winning effort today at Mid-Ohio,” said Chris Berube, Chevrolet Racing Program Manager, IZOD IndyCar Series. “With the competition in the IZOD IndyCar Series being so close, track position on a technical road course like Mid-Ohio is an advantage. In the end, it is going to take great execution on Sunday to get the win.”
Power’s pole is the seventh time this season that a driver with the Chevrolet 2.2 liter V6 direct injected twin turbo charged engine has held the coveted spot on the starting grid.
Ryan Briscoe qualified sixth behind the wheel of the No. 2 PPG Automotive Refinishes Chevrolet. Sebastien Bourdais, No. 7 TrueCar/McAfee Chevrolet, turned in the seventh fastest time of the day.
Two additional Team Chevy drivers had fast laps that landed them in the top-10 in the final qualifying results. Ryan Hunter-Reay, No. 28 Team DHL/Sun Drop Citrus Soda/Pelotonia Andretti Autosport Chevrolet, was eighth quickest, and Marco Andretti turned in the ninth quickest time behind the wheel of the No. 26 Team RC Cola Andretti Autosport Chevrolet.
The 85-lap Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio is scheduled to start on Sunday, August 5, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. ET with live television coverage on the ABC TV.