Team Penske sweeps Portland qualifying in IndyCar title race

By JENNA FRYER
AP Auto Racing Writer

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Team Penske powered its way around Portland International Raceway in a 1-2-3 qualifying sweep that poised the IndyCar championship leaders for a big swing against Ganassi in the title fight. Scott McLaughlin won the pole and picked up a point for that to help his long-shot title chances. McLaughlin goes into Sunday’s race ranked sixth in the standings, 53 points behind Penske teammate and IndyCar points leader Will Power. Josef Newgarden trails Power by three points and qualified second. But he’ll serve a six-spot grid penalty for a an engine change. All three Penske drivers are among the seven still mathematically eligible to win the championship. The three points that separate Power and Newgarden is the closest margin with two races remaining since 2008.