Kiwi Scott Dixon's quest for a sixth IndyCar championship has become more difficult, after qualifying 11th for the final race of the season at St Petersburg, Florida.
Dixon, who leads Josef Newgarden by 32 points in the standings, would clinch the title by finishing ninth or better, regardless of where his American rival finishes.
The Chip Ganassi Racing driver could finish lower down the order and still clinch the championship, but would also need Newgarden to miss out on a podium finish.
If Dixon wins, he will be one championship from matching the legendary AJ Foyt's record of seven.
"We're starting 11th, Joseph is starting eighth, so that helps us by not qualifying pole and getting the extra point," says Dixon. "We will keep working hard and see what we can make of it."
Defending IndyCar champion Newgarden is confident he can defy the odds to deny Dixon.
"It makes our programme harder for tomorrow, but we still have to try to win tomorrow," says Newgarden. "We can win from there - we made it harder, but we can do it."
Meanwhile, fellow Kiwi Scott McLaughlin will debut from 21st in the 24-car field, after a nervy qualifying session.
At one stage, the reigning three-time Supercars champion made contact with a wall, but managed to keep his car on the track.
The 27-year-old is competing in the series finale in Florida before a full-time move next year.
McLaughlin only arrived in the US on Tuesday and is learning about racing IndyCars on the fly.
"Unfortunately, I'm not making any excuses, but we just need a bit more time and we'll be ok," says McLaughlin. "I'm disappointed with myself, but it is what it is.
"It's very intimidating in regards to having a go in the Indycar, learning the space around you as well.
"I'm used to hitting mirrors off on the walls in Australia - not necessarily a tyre - but we're pushing out there, trying to find the limits in a fast-forward motion.
"It's been an awesome initiation, and we'll just come back and have another go tomorrow."
Join us from 7:30am Monday for live updates, as Kiwis Scott McLaughlin & Scott Dixon contest the IndyCar series finale.
