Leist earns Indy Lights pole at Road America

Freedom 100 winner Matheus Leist continued his momentum into June by claiming the pole for Saturday's Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires race at Road America.

"I think this is our moment now," Leist said. "Everything is coming together, so I'm very happy. We had a great month in Indy, we tested very well here as well."

Lesit will be joined on the front row by Carlin Racing teammate Neil Alberico, who pulled into the pits a few minutes before the qualifying session expired, telling his team his "tired peaked."

Andretti Autosport's Ryan Norman, current Indy Lights points leader Kyle Kaiser and Andretti's Nico Jamin round out the top five.

Zach Claman de Melo was unable to repeat his front running pace in practice after an engine failure left him unable to complete a flying lap.

Responding to his teammate’s provisional pole time, Alberico bettered Leist’s lap with a 1.53.381 only for Leist to go quicker two minutes later to snatch back the top spot. In an impressive display by the Carlin duo, it was Leist who claimed the pole as the flag fell.

Said Alberico: “I’m stoked to be on front row for the first time, my best qualifying performance of the year. If I’m going to lose to someone it’s going to be my teammate – so a Carlin 1-2 is a nice result. It’s a good way to start the weekend.”