BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Pato O’Ward set a track record at Barber Motorsports Park to win the pole for the IndyCar season-opening race. He will lead the field to green alongside Alexander Rossi. O’Ward is a 21-year-old Mexican tasked with making Arrow McLaren SP a heavyweight team in the IndyCar paddock. Jimmie Johnson, meanwhile, will at last make his IndyCar debut. He will start 21st in his first race. Johnson made progress through two practice sessions and qualifying and his only goal was not to start last in Sunday’s race.
