NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Scott McLaughlin received his second straight pole Saturday on the Music Metropolis Grand Prix and the primary on a road course this season for Group Penske.

The New Zealander, at present fifth within the factors race, might be on the lookout for his second win this yr Sunday. He got here in second right here to countryman Scott Dixon “by a nostril” a yr in the past. McLaughlin stated the qualifying session in all probability was one of the best of his IndyCar profession with the Chevrolet.

“That was the cash one,” McLaughlin stated. “That was actual good. That was juicy. So I used to be actually pleased with that one. Clearly, the identical automobile as we ran final yr.”

McLaughlin grabbed the fourth pole of his profession on his closing lap of the Quick Six, holding off Pato O’Ward by greater than three-tenths of a second. Colton Herta of Andretti Autosport missed out on his second pole right here and can begin third alongside collection factors chief Alex Palou.

Dixon, a six-time collection champ, crashed into the Flip 11 wall damaging the entrance of his Chip Ganassi Racing automobile with 18 seconds left within the Quick 12 spherical. He’ll begin twelfth, two spots forward of the place he began earlier than profitable on this course final yr.

Linus Lundqvist, filling in for Simon Pagenaud within the No. 60 of Meyer Shank Racing, was the highest qualifying rookie and can begin eleventh in his IndyCar debut. Marcus Ericsson, who received the inaugural race right here in 2021, will begin twentieth.

Tennessee native Josef Newgarden, at present 80 factors behind Palou within the factors race, will begin ninth. He’s on the lookout for his first win at his residence course and fifth this season.

Rain shortened Saturday’s second apply to simply half-hour and delayed qualifying almost 4 hours in a revamped schedule. By the point drivers took the two.1-mile course, the solar had dried out the streets with its 11 turns and two journeys throughout the Korean Conflict Veterans Memorial Bridge.

The 80-lap race is scheduled for midday ET Sunday.

Qualifying for the Indy NXT race was canceled Saturday on account of poor course situations from regular rain within the Nashville space, with the beginning grid set by entrant factors.