Double IndyCar champ Dario Franchitti will start his bid for a second Indy500 victory, having won previously in 2007, from the front row of the grid for Sunday’s (May 30) Indianapolis 500.
The 36-year-old from Bathgate, who became the first Scot to win America’s Blue Riband event since the legendary Jim Clark in 1965, will line up third on the three-car front row after being edged off second place by Penske’s Will Power.
Last year’s winner, Brazilian Helio Castroneves, earned his fourth Indy500 pole,with a commanding performance in the new pole shoot-out at the end of qualifying.
Under new regulations introduced this year, after the first five hours of Pole Day qualifying, the top nine went into a 90-minute battle for pole position. Penske driver Castroneves opted to run first, and set a stunning average speed of 227.971mph.
None of his eight rivals for the top spot could get within 1mph of that mark on their initial runs, and Castroneves’ total four-lap time was nearly one second clear of his pursuers. The new rules make pole even more valuable, with Castroneves earning 15 IndyCar Championship points and 175,000 US dollars for his efforts.
Franchitti, who averaged 226.990mph, was the only non-Penske driver to break into the top four outperforming his Target Ganassi team-mate Scott Dixon who will start sixth.
“It’s frustrating not to get pole position,” Franchitti admitted today, “but Helio got everything right today and there’s no way anyone could get close to him.
“Now we have to make sure we have a fast car in race trim for the weekend and deny him back-to-back victories. I know how fantastic it felt to win three years ago, and it’s something I want to experience again. Hopefully we’ll get it right on Sunday.”
JM