Helio Castroneves Claims Dramatic Pole For 91st Indianapolis 500

IRL: Helio Castroneves claims pole at 91st Indianapolis 500
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IRL: Helio Castroneves claims pole at 91st Indianapolis 500 Honda


Dario Franchitti, who held the top spot for much of the day, ended up third on the grid with a four-lap average of 225.191 mph.

Scott Dixon (225.122 mph), defending Indianapolis 500 winner Sam Hornish (225.109 mph) and IndyCar Series points leader Dan Wheldon (224.641 mph) make up the second row.

Veteran owner/driver Michael Andretti survived several final-hour attempts to knock him out of the field. Combined with its four regular drivers – Kanaan, Franchitti, Danica Patrick and Marco Andretti – Andretti Green Racing became the first team to place five cars in the top 11.

Second-day qualifying will take place Sunday to fill positions 12-22 in the 33-car starting lineup.

Indianapolis 500 Post-Qualifying Notes:

• This is Helio Castroneves’ third AAMCO Transmissions Pole Award this season and the 19th pole position of his IndyCar Series career, extending his series record for career poles.

• Castroneves won his third pole in four IndyCar Series events. He previously won poles at St. Petersburg and Twin Ring Motegi.

• This is Castroneves’ second Indianapolis 500 pole position and his second consecutive front-row start at Indianapolis. He won the pole in 2003.

• Tony Kanaan qualified second, his third front-row start at Indianapolis.

• Kanaan has never qualified outside the top five for the Indianapolis 500.

• Dario Franchitti qualified third, matching his career-best start at Indianapolis in 2004.

• All five Andretti Green Racing cars qualified inside the top-11. It is the first time an entrant has place five cars in the first 11 in Indianapolis 500 history.


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