It was three weeks ago in Detroit when Will Power, the best qualifier in NTT INDYCAR SERIES racing history, acknowledged that his record for most poles in a driver’s career – 71 -- might not be as untouchable as it once seemed.

“It’s not impossible,” Power said of the record falling to Alex Palou, a four-time series champion who Saturday in the XPEL Grand Prix at Road America won his fifth consecutive pole and the 18th of his still-young career. “(It) depends on how long he goes (in the sport).”

Palou (photo, top) is 29 years old and competing in the series for a seventh season. Saturday marked the 108th qualifying session of his career, which puts his pole-winning proficiency at 16.7 percent. However, in races with Chip Ganassi Racing, he has won 19.1 percent of the poles.

Power was five weeks past his 30th birthday when he earned his 18th pole in his 73rd race (24.7 percent). He continued to stack together great qualifying seasons, winning five or more on eight occasions. With Team Penske, Power won eight poles each in 2010 and 2011.

This weekend marks Power’s 329th race, which gives him a career pole average of 21.6 percent.

Saturday, Palou became the fifth driver with five consecutive poles, and Mario Andretti did it twice (seven in succession in 1965-66 and five in a row in 1984). Bobby Unser holds the series record with eight poles in a row, achieved over two seasons (1971-72).

Power, whose personal best was four consecutive poles to open the 2011 season, is among those paying attention to what Palou is achieving.

“Yeah, Alex is certainly pumping ‘em out,” he said. “It’s good stuff.”

Palou’s streak is even more impressive when considering the diversity of the tracks. The run began on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, then continued on the IMS oval for the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. Palou won the pole for the Detroit street race and the short oval at World Wide Technology Raceway before arriving in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, for this event.

Saturday’s pole was Palou’s first on this 14-turn, 4.014-mile road course, but it’s been one of his favorite tracks since arriving in the U.S. for the 2020 season. He has won three of the past five series races, including last year’s. It was the site of his breakthrough performance as a rookie, finishing third – his first career podium finish – in a car entered by Dale Coyne Racing w/ Team Goh. The other drivers in the top four that afternoon were series champions (Scott Dixon, Will Power and Ryan Hunter-Reay).

Palou will go for his fourth Road America race victory Sunday (2 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One, FOX Deportes, INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls). If he achieves it, he will break a tie with Mario Andretti, Emerson Fittipaldi and Michael Andretti.

“I think all the names you said there are huge legends in the sport,” Palou said.

Palou will receive a point for winning Saturday’s pole, which effectively pushes his series lead to 50 points (points are officially awarded at the conclusion of each event). He continues to be the prohibitive favorite to earn a record-tying fourth consecutive season championship and fifth in six years.

Palou was asked Saturday if he’s driving as well as ever, including last year’s masterful performance when he earned eight race wins and six poles. He was succinct with his assessment.

“In terms of speed, maybe,” he said. “In terms of execution, no. I think last year we were able to execute almost perfectly.”

Numbers bear that out. In this run of five consecutive poles, Palou’s average finish is 7.5, and it’s weighed down by a 17th-place finish two weeks ago at World Wide Technology Raceway. But six poles in the past seven events is a hot streak by any definition, and it might continue.

Next on the schedule is the road course race at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Palou has won the pole there the past two years. He also is a former pole winner at Portland International Raceway (2021), Milwaukee Mile (last year) and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (2024, 2025).

Power never won more than eight poles in a season. Palou already has six with eight races to go. Seventy-one for a career seems more attainable by the day.