Marco Andretti has won his first IndyCar pole since 2013 and will start from the front at Detroit's Belle Isle.
Andretti won his fifth career pole and was eyeing a chance to win Saturday afternoon's race on the 2.35-mile street course. He has won twice in this series, most recently in 2011.
Scott Dixon qualified second, followed by rookie Robert Wickens. Indianapolis 500 champion Will Power will start sixth.
Honda engines took eight of the top nine spots in qualifying, with Power as the only Chevrolet driver in that group.