Australian Will Power has captured pole position in the Grand Prix of Baltimore, a feat that earned him another point in his bid to clinch his first IndyCar Series championship this weekend.

Power holds a 37-point lead Ryan Hunter-Reay, who’s in second place entering Sunday’s race. Power, the defending champion in Baltimore, can wrap up the points title if he’s ahead by 54 after Sunday.

Several drivers had trouble negotiating the chicane that was added to the 2.04-mile (3.28km) street course late Saturday night.

Graham Rahal was launched into a wall during the preliminary run, which brought out a red flag to end the session and prevent Hunter-Reay from getting back onto the track.

Mike Conway finished second in the race for the pole and Scott Dixon took third.