Motorsport: Kiwi Scott McLaughlin earns pole at iconic Indy 500 with recordbreaking qualifying pace

Kiwi driver Scott McLaughlin will start from pole in next week's Indy 500 after a recordbreaking effort in qualifying on Monday (NZ time).

McLaughlin set the fastest time in the 108-year history of the race, posting an average speed of just over 234 mph (377km) over his four laps.

He'll make his second pole start in an oval race after securing pole at the Indycar race at Gateway in Madison, Illinois, last year.

McLaughlin rounded out a great day for Team Penske, who will have all three of their drivers on the front of the grid for the first time since 1988, when Rick Mears went on to victory.

The team have recreated the 'Yellow Submarine' Mears drove that day for McLaughlin.

"Let's get this Yellow Submarine back in the victory lane," McLaughlin said after taking the top spot.

"A lot of pride. Hello to my mum and dad back in New Zealand....Indy hasn't been kind to me and a lot of that was my doing.

"I need to work on things and this is the first step."

Fellow New Zealanders Marcus Armstrong will start from 16th on the grid while Scott Dixon, who the event in 2008, is at 21st.

Will Power will start second after his run of 233.917 in the No. 12 Penske Chevrolet, and reigning winner Josef Newgarden will round out the front row, after his run of 233.808 in the No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet.

Reuters.

Kiwi driver Scott McLaughlin will start from pole in next week's Indy 500 after a recordbreaking effort in qualifying on Monday (NZ time).

McLaughlin set the fastest time in the 108-year history of the race, posting an average speed of just over 234 mph (377km) over his four laps.

He'll make his second pole start in an oval race after securing pole at the Indycar race at Gateway in Madison, Illinois, last year.

McLaughlin rounded out a great day for Team Penske, who will have all three of their drivers on the front of the grid for the first time since 1988, when Rick Mears went on to victory.

The team have recreated the 'Yellow Submarine' Mears drove that day for McLaughlin.

"Let's get this Yellow Submarine back in the victory lane," McLaughlin said after taking the top spot.

"A lot of pride. Hello to my mum and dad back in New Zealand....Indy hasn't been kind to me and a lot of that was my doing.

"I need to work on things and this is the first step."

Fellow New Zealanders Marcus Armstrong will start from 16th on the grid while Scott Dixon, who the event in 2008, is at 21st.

Will Power will start second after his run of 233.917 in the No. 12 Penske Chevrolet, and reigning winner Josef Newgarden will round out the front row, after his run of 233.808 in the No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet.

Reuters.

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