Takuma Sato from KV Racing Technology claimed the pole for the Edmonton Indy after topping Will Power in Saturday’s qualifying.
Sato posted a lap around the newly configured 2.256-mile, 13-turn Edmonton City Centre Airport course in one minute, 18.5165 seconds for his second career IndyCar pole. His first pole in the series came four weeks ago at Iowa Speedway.
“Absolutely fantastic,” Sato said. “The Iowa pole was special for the team, and this one [on a street course] means a lot. The morning warm-up will be the key for the race set-up, so hopefully we’ll find what we need and then try very hard [in the race].”
Sato has yet to win a race in the series. MiamiHerald.com
He said the field was wide open in qualifying given that the drivers were on a new track and that their first practice sessions were wiped out by heavy rains Friday.
“The conditions today were tricky as everyone couldn’t run yesterday and we had only two (practice) sessions (today). But I was comfortable,” he said.
Sato four top-10 finishes in 10 races, but has never placed higher than fifth.
Power, the 30-year-old Australian, just missed grabbing his sixth pole of the year.
“Takuma did a fantastic job,” said Power. “It’s pretty tough to keep a (pole) streak like that going every week, to get everything just absolutely right.” USA Today
Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammates Scott Dixon (1:18.6442), the 2010 race winner, and Dario Franchitti (1:18.6628) will share Row 2. E.J. Viso, making his first appearance in the Firestone Fast Six this season in the No. 59 PDVSA KV Racing Technology-Lotus entry (1:18.7383), is on Row 3 with Ryan Briscoe, who drove the No. 6 Penske Truck Rental car to a quick lap of 1:19.0267.
“It’s pretty clear that the program that’s we’ve been evolving as a team is coming together,” said Viso, who recorded his best start of the season. “We have some little details to make the car go faster; we’re struggling as little in the fast corners. It’s going to be a long race so keeping good racecraft is going to be important.”
Power seconds that statement. Power and Franchitti, who had a run-in on the Toronto street course two weeks ago that essentially eliminated Power from contending for the victory, appear not have resolved their contrasting opinions about who was to blame for the Turn 3 incident on Lap 56 of 85.
They didn’t acknowledge each other in the post-qualifying news conference though they were separated at the shoulders by about 18 inches. When asked about whether they’d be able to start next to each other after the contact at Toronto, Franchitti offered a curt, “We’ve done it before so we’ll be alright.” Responded Power: “He’s behind me, so it’s up to him.”
Behind the top six will be Ryan Hunter-Reay and Oriol Servia, who had their own difference of opinion on pit lane following Round 2, on the fourth row. Helio Castroneves will share Row 5 with rookie James Hinchcliffe. IndyCar.com
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IZOD IndyCar Series: Edmonton Indy at Edmonton Airport Circuit - Race Line-Up
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