Sun Sep 15 11:51:17 UTC 2024: ## Palou’s Title Hopes Take a Hit in Nashville Qualifying
**LEBANON, Tenn.** – The IndyCar championship race has tightened considerably ahead of the season finale at Nashville Superspeedway, thanks to Álex Palou’s poor qualifying performance and a pending engine penalty.
Despite holding a 33-point lead over Will Power, Palou’s cushion will be reduced to just seven points after starting 24th due to the penalty. The Spaniard, aiming for his third title in four years, struggled to find pace in qualifying, finishing 15th.
Power, on the other hand, qualified a strong fourth and is relishing the opportunity to capitalize on Palou’s misfortune. He narrowly missed out on winning the championship two weeks ago in Milwaukee when Palou suffered an engine failure.
The title fight is essentially a two-horse race between Palou and Power. Palou’s teammate, Scott Dixon, is looking to finish in the top five for the first time since 2016, while Power is determined to secure a runner-up finish.
The race will also be a homecoming for Nashville resident and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden, who qualified second behind Kyle Kirkwood, who earned his second career pole and first on an oval.
This year’s race marks a return to the Nashville Superspeedway after four years of street racing in downtown Nashville. The move was prompted by construction on the Tennessee Titans’ new stadium, which forced a change of venue.
The season finale promises an exciting and unpredictable race, with Palou needing a top-nine finish to secure his championship. Power, however, will be looking to pounce on any opportunity to clinch his third IndyCar title.
First Piper 