By all measures it was a thrilling and heartbreaking Sunday in Indiana, with winners and losers at both ends of the Indy 500 33-car grid.
Minutes after the last row shootout drama had unfolded - and collapsed - for McLaren and Fernando Alonso, the top-nine runners went gunning for pole position glory.
That high stakes game saw Simon Pagenaud race around the Speedway at an average speed of 229.992 mph that delivered to Penske its record 18th pole in Indianapolis history
"Team Menards and Team Penske have been phenomenal about giving me the best equipment," said Pagenaud, who celebrated his 35th birthday on Saturday.
"I can’t thank them enough and my teammates for always pushing me to the limit. This is incredible. This is the biggest race in the world, so obviously I’m on Cloud Nine."
