McLaughlin, a rank outsider in the points race with a 54-point deficit to Power heading into the final two races, pipped Newgarden by 0.078s in the decisive Fast Six session to secure the top spot - although a six-place grid penalty for Newgarden's engine change will drop him to eighth on the grid.
Points leader Power will therefore line up on the front row of the grid, with impressive rookie Christian Lundgaard lining up third for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing ahead of defending champion and 2021 Portland winner Alex Palou in the leading Chip Ganassi Racing entry.
