Hinchcliffe wins Indy pole a year after near-death

7:59 PM ET

INDIANAPOLIS — James Hinchcliffe watched the Indianapolis 500 from his hospital bed last year. He had nearly died from injuries six days earlier in a crash at famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Now he’ll start the historic 100th running of “The Greatest Spectacle In Racing” from the pole.

The Canadian continued his remarkable comeback Sunday by edging American Josef Newgarden for the top starting spot next Sunday. Hinchcliffe earned the pole with a four-lap average of 230.760 mph.

James Hinchcliffe stole the Indy 500 pole from Josef Newgarden in the final qualifying run with a four-lap average speed of 230.760 mph. Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports

A day after qualifying last year, Hinchcliffe spun and hit the wall during a practice session. The impact caused a piece of his car to break and sail through his thigh. Hinchcliffe would have bled to death if not for the fast work of IndyCar’s medical team, which staunched the bleeding and raced him to a nearby hospital for life-saving surgery.

“I don’t think anyone can describe nearly losing your life at a track, then going back there to go 240 mph into a corner,” said Ryan Hunter-Reay, one of the many drivers to congratulate Hinchcliffe after his pole-winning run Sunday.

Newgarden will start second after qualifying at 230.700, and the difference between Hinchcliffe and Newgarden was the fourth-smallest between first and second …

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