SONOMA (UNITED STATES) - IndyCar season championship points leader Will Power of Australia captured his fourth pole position of the year in qualifying for the Grand Prix of Sonoma.
Will Power of Australia, driver of the #12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, applies the pole award during qualifying for the Verizon IndyCar Series GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma, at Sonoma Raceway, on August 23, 2014
Power, who has won three of the past four races on the 2.385-mile (3.83-kilometer) circuit, took the inside front row spot for Sunday's penultimate race of the campaign with a lap in 1min 17.4126secs.
Power also took a bonus point for the pole victory, boosting his season edge over Brazilian teammate Helio Castroneves to 40 points entering the 85-lap road course matchup.
"It's a track-position race and starting on pole puts us in a good position," Power said.
"If it's a normal sort of strategy, we've put ourselves in a great position to win the race. But you know how these races go. You've got to get everything right on race day."
Castroneves qualified sixth and figures to stay in contention into next Saturday's season-ending oval race at Fontana, California, which pays double the normal points.
"We know we have a very good car, and hopefully we'll have a good race," said Castroneves. "You have to be aggressive in a way that puts you in position going to the last race to win the championship."
American Josef Newgarden qualified second followed by reigning IndyCar series champion Scott Dixon of New Zealand, Canada's James Hinchcliffe and Aussie Ryan Briscoe.