Power breaks Andretti qualifying record in pursuit of title

MONTEREY, Calif. (AP) — Will Power broke Mario Andretti's record for poles on the day he most needed a big run. The greatest qualifier in IndyCar history is now one step closer to a second championship.

Power grabbed his 68th career pole with Andretti watching from pit lane Saturday at Laguna Seca Raceway. Andretti made his way to Power's car and gave him a thumbs-up, while Team Penske teammate Scott McLaughlin hopped on the side of Power's car to give him a high-five.

“Didn't even occur to me until they told me. I can't celebrate so much because I've got to be ready for (the finale),” said Power, who won his fifth pole of the season to break the mark.

Andretti eventually made his way to the staging area where the Australian was being celebrated for the pole-winning run.

“I tell you, to see Mario Andretti walk up the pits and shake his hand, that’s something I’ll remember,” said Roger Penske, owner of Power's car.

Andretti, who was also passed this year for second on the wins list by Scott Dixon, was pleased for Power.

“I know how much I love qualifying and he's the same,” Andretti said. "It was coming. It's beautiful. It's great for the sport, and records are meant to be broken."

Power, who was given a new hat that read “68 poles" said the scene on pit lane with Penske and Andretti left him pinching himself.

“I was actually standing there, I saw Roger there, I saw Mario there and all the cameras, I thought, ‘this is really surreal,’” Power said. "It just blows my mind that I surpassed Mario and obviously I drive for Roger. Just to have those two legends there congratulating me, it’s real, and a lot of gratitude for the chances and the opportunities I’ve been given over the last decade and a half.

“Very