Newgarden wins Long Beach pole in tight IndyCar title race

IndyCar drivers Dalton Kellett, left, from Stouffville, Canada, and Graham Rahal, from New Albany, Ohio, race up Pine Avenue during the final practice session at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Long Beach, Calif. (Will Lester/The Orange County Register via AP)

American driver Josef Newgarden celebrates after winning the pole for the Grand Prix of Long Beach, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Long Beach, Calif. The Sunday race on the downtown street circuit will crown the IndyCar champion and Newgarden sits third in the standings, behind leader Alex Palou of Spain and Pato O'Ward of Mexico. (AP Photo/Jenna Fryer)

Indycar driver Colton Herta climbs from his race car after qualifying for the Grand Prix of Long Beach auto race Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Long Beach, Calif. (Will Lester/The Orange County Register via AP)

IndyCar driver Josef Newgarden, from Nashville, Tenn., celebrates after capturing the top qualifying position Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, for the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, in Long Beach, Calif. (Will Lester/The Orange County Register via AP)

Indycar driver Colton Herta flips his hair after climbing from his race car following qualifying for the Grand Prix of Long Beach auto race Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Long Beach, Calif. (Will Lester/The Orange County Register via AP)

Indycar driver Josef Newgarden places his pole-winning sticker on his car after capturing the top qualifying position during the final practice session for the Grand Prix of Long Beach auto race Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Long Beach, Calif. (Will Lester/The Orange County Register via AP)

American driver Josef Newgarden celebrates after winning the pole for the Grand Prix of Long Beach, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Long Beach, Calif. The Sunday race on the downtown street circuit will crown the IndyCar champion and Newgarden sits third in the standings, behind leader Alex Palou of Spain and Pato O'Ward of Mexico. (AP Photo/Jenna Fryer)