Scott Dixon has taken pole position for next week's Indianapolis 500, dominating the qualifying session on Monday (NZ time).
Dixon, 41, will start at the front of the grid next Monday, after topping qualifying with an average speed of 234.046 miles per hour - the second fastest in the history of the Indy 500.
The pole position is Dixon's fifth at the Indy 500, second only to Rick Pears' six for the most of all time.
Dixon took pole position in 2021, as well as 2017, 2015 and 2008. Teammate and reigning champion Alex Palou will start in second, as Chip Ganassi racing took the top two places.
Ed Carpenter Racing's Rinus VeeKay qualified third to complete the three-strong front row.
Currently fifth in the standings, Dixon will start next week's Indy500 from the front of the grid as he bids for his first victory of the season.
Dixon has won six IndyCar championships across a decorated career racing in the USA, just one behind AJ Foyt for the most by a single driver.
Victory at next week's Indy500 would be Dixon's second career win at Indianapolis, with his first coming back in 2008.
"That's what this place is all about," Dixon said post-qualifying. "It's so amazing. The ups and downs you have just in one day is crazy.
"This is just stage one. Obviously, this means nothing come next Sunday. We're starting in the right spot. We haven't had a good record of keeping it in the right spot but we will definitely give it a try next Sunday."
Dixon took pole position for last year's Indy500 as well, but was forced to settle for 17th place, running out of fuel after he didn't pit under a yellow flag on the opening laps as he led the race.
The Kiwi was stationary for three laps as his crew attempted to restart his engine, seeing Dixon exit the pits at the back of the field in 32nd place.
Meanwhile, compatriot Scott McLaughlin starts in 26th after an average speed of 230.154mph across his qualifying session.
In his second season of IndyCar after moving to the US from a successful stint in Australia's Supercars championship, McLaughlin sits 3rd in the standings this season.
McLaughlin has one victory and two top-five finishes so far this season, and sits 28 points behind championship leader, teammate Will Power.
Racing for Team Penske, McLaughlin will look to improve on his 2021 Indy 500 finish, where he crossed the line 20th in his first visit to IndyCar's great race.
