GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma qualifying results: Josef Newgarden on pole

SONOMA, CA - SEPTEMBER 15: Josef Newgarden of the United States driver of the #1 hum by Verizon Chevrolet drives in practice on day 1 of the GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma at Sonoma Raceway on September 15, 2017 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Verizon IndyCar Series championship leader Josef Newgarden captured the pole position for Sunday’s season finale at the GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma.

Josef Newgarden moved one step closer to the 2017 IndyCar season title by winning the pole for Sunday’s GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma.

Newgarden, who came into Sonoma Raceway as the championship leader, earned a valuable bonus point by coming in first during Saturday’s qualifying session. That increased his overall lead to four points over four-time champion Scott Dixon.

But all of the IndyCar championship contenders were able to advance into the Firestone Fast Six for the GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma, setting up a battle for valuable track position.

Newgarden and his Penske teammates slash rivals took the top four spots on the grid for another lockout, while Dixon fought the No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing entry hard all day and came home in the sixth spot. That may not be a problem for the veteran, though, as he’s won the GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma from as far back as ninth.

Meanwhile, JR Hildebrand qualified a disappointing 20th in what will be his final event for Ed Carpenter Racing, and Carlos Munoz will roll off 22nd as rumors fly that he will be replaced at A.J. Foyt Racing next season.

All eyes, however, will be on Josef Newgarden as he will pursue his first IndyCar championship at the front of the field. You can read our interview with Newgarden about his title hopes here.

Below are the complete GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma qualifying results:

1 – Josef Newgarden
2 – Will Power
3 – Simon Pagenaud
4 – Helio Castroneves
5 – Takuma Sato
6 – Scott Dixon
7 – Ryan Hunter-Reay
8 – Alexander Rossi
9 – Graham Rahal
10 – Sebastian Bourdais
11 – Marco Andretti
12 – Tony Kanaan
13 – Conor Daly
14 – Max Chilton
15 – Charlie Kimball
16 – James Hinchcliffe
17 – Spencer Pigot
18 – Ed Jones
19 – Jack Harvey
20 – JR Hildebrand
21 – Zachary Claman De Melo
22 – Carlos Munoz

Next: IndyCar standings before Grand Prix of Sonoma

The GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma airs Sunday, Sept. 17 at 6:30 p.m ET. For the latest IndyCar news throughout the rest of the 2017 season, follow the Motor Sports category at FanSided here.