Pagenaud fights for job by winning Indy 500 pole
PHOTO: Nascar Media
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Simon Pagenaud has won the pole for the Indianapolis 500, strengthening his case for keeping his job at Team Penske.
Pagenaud averaged 229.992 mph in four laps of Sunday qualifying to lock down the top spot for the May 26 race. Pagenaud has been in the rumor mill for some time because of a long losing streak that he finally snapped last week on the road course around Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Now he's on the pole for the race boss Roger Penske rates most important. Penske has a record 17 wins in the Indianapolis 500 and this year is marking his 50th anniversary in the race.
Ed Carpenter and Spencer Pigot qualified second and third for a Chevrolet sweep of the front row.
Pagenaud has 11 career poles.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.