Sebastian Saavedra bested the Verizon IndyCar Series field on a wet track at Indianapolis. [John Wiedemann Photo]
Indianapolis, Ind. –Sebastian Saavedra drove through wet and soggy conditions to bag the pole position for the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis. It happened during an unforgettable qualifying session at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday afternoon.
For Saavedra, the 23-year old Colombia native scored his first career Verizon IndyCar Series pole and it came in his42nd attempt.
Sebastian Saavedra gets the P1 sticker after winning the pole for the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis. [Russ Lake Photo]
Driving the KV AFS Racing Chevrolet, Saavedra splashed around the 2.349-mile road course at a speed of 104.675 miles per hour or a time of 1:23.8822 seconds.
Said Saavedra, “This is huge, and it is a great way to start the month of May. We have been pushing ourselves to get this opportunity, and when we saw a great opportunity, we took it. I am so proud of this team.
“This is the top level (of racing), and we have been leading laps and things, but our strategies have not been working out. This is the point that makes you get addicted even more. We are building something from scratch at KVS Racing and hopefully soon we can show more.”
Saavedra admitted he had hoped for a top-five time in dry conditions but when it rained, his hopes soared. “When it started to rain, I got a big smile in my helmet as I enjoy rain very much.”
Regarding the race, he added, “To be honest, I feel old. I am only 23-years old, but I’ve been here for a few years. While others have more experience, it is a matter of showing yourself and keep on doing what you have been doing for last 15 years. Every day you are learning something new and in every corner, but this is not the time to try something new. Starting from the pole is huge and whoever gets the good jump or not and whatever happens with the weather and wind are all huge factors for the race.”
When the first of the three qualification segments started, the track was dry but light rain came in and ended just as abruptly. Segment two had hard rain throughout, and the third segment was delayed due to the weather. When it was run, the track was wet and all six cars did well until Ryan Hunter-Reay crashed hard exiting the final turn, bringing out the red flag and ending the segment with about two minutes remaining.
Jack Hawksworth eyes turn two in the rain during qualifying for the Grand Prix of Indianapolis. [John Wiedemann Photo]
Rookie Jack Hawksworth put the BHA/BBM with Curb Agajanian Honda on the outside of the front row with a speed of 104.431 mph.
Addressing the shortened session, Hawksworth commented, “I think everybody had a lot more on the table. I think the fastest lap was going to be the last one. Everybody was pretty quick.”
He is guardedly optimistic about being in the front row. “I’m actually quite excited, as we have a clear track ahead. If we can get (Sebastian) Saavedra at the first corner, we’ll try and pull away and see what we can do,” he said.
Hunter-Reay will start third after losing his two fastest laps due to the crash with Simon Pagenaud fourth fastest.
Discussing his crash, Hunter-Reay said, “Every time through there (turn 14), I almost lost it. I had a few big moments there. In qualifying, you got to go for it and in the wet, you’re always going for it. There’s a very fine line between stepping over in the wet and throwing it off. Unfortunately, I dinged up the right rear but it will be fixed by tomorrow.”
Will Power and Scott Dixon recorded the fifth and sixth fastest speeds to round out the Firestone Fast Six qualifiers.
Sebastien Bourdais, Juan Pablo Montoya and Indy 500 winners Tony Kanaan and Helio Castroneves rounded out the top-10 qualifiers.
Rookie Mikhail Aleshin lost his two fastest laps due to qualifying interference with Bourdais. The two had tangled at the recent Barber race. He will start last in the race.
The Grand Prix of Indianapolis will be telecast by ABC live on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Simon Pagenaud set the track record during the dry portion of the qualifying session. [John Wiedemann Photo]
James Hinchcliffe leads a group through the pond in turn one at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. [John Wiedemann Photo]
Ryan Hunter-Reay ahead of Helio Castroneves navigates the wet track. [John Wiedemann Photo]