pole position

American  

noun

1. a position on the inside of the track in any race.

2. (in auto racing) a starting position on the inside of the front row.

3. an advantageous position.

---

pole position British  

noun

1. (in motor racing) the starting position on the inside of the front row, generally considered the best one

2. an advantageous starting position

---

Example Sentences

In Australia, pole position this year was 3.422 seconds slower than than last year.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

In 49 Truck Series starts, Dye has two finishes in the Top 5 and 10 finishes in the Top 10, earning one pole position.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

First, OpenAI would have to lose its AI pole position.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

You’re in pole position to leap into retirement.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 13, 2026

Russell's pole position - 0.8 seconds clear of the fastest non-Mercedes car - had sent shockwaves through the paddock on Saturday but the race was initially much closer than qualifying.

From BBC • Mar. 8, 2026