FORT WORTH, Texas—Scott Dixon topped the record-tying 28-car field to win the PEAK Motor Oil Pole Award presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts for the Bombardier Learjet 550k with a four-lap cumulative time of 1 minute, 37.5063 seconds (214.878 mph average).
Dixon, driving the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car, was 0.0462 of a second ahead of Helio Castroneves, who will join the reigning Indianapolis 500 winner on the front row. Castroneves, who has won twice at Texas in the No. 3 Team Penske car, recorded a 214.777 mph average (1:37.5525).
Castroneves’ teammate, Ryan Briscoe (213.937), who posted his first IndyCar Series victory June 1 at The Milwaukee Mile, will be joined on Row 2 by Andretti Green Racing’s Hideki Mutoh (213.485), who netted the highest starting position of his rookie season.
Andretti Green Racing’s Danica Patrick (213.238) and Luczo Dragon Racing’s Tomas Scheckter (213.212), who won at Texas in 2005, will share Row 3. John Andretti (212.844) gave Roth Racing its highest IndyCar Series starting position in seventh. Will Power posted another strong qualifying effort (eighth at 212.595) in the No. 8 Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia car for KV Racing Technology.
Panther Racing’s Vitor Meira (212.501) and Ryan Hunter-Reay (212.482), in the No. 17 Ethanol car for Rahal Letterman Racing, will occupy Row 5. Dan Wheldon, who qualified in the No. 10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing back-up car (212.474) after the primary car was heavily damaged in a practice crash, will share Row 6 with Vision Racing’s Ed Carpenter (212.247).
SCOTT DIXON (No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara/Honda/Firestone, PEAK Motor Oil Pole Award Presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts winner): “I didn’t think it was going to be enough. The track got fast, and I thought it would benefit guys like (Ryan) Briscoe qualifying later in day. It’s shocking to be honest. I’m very happy we came away with the pole, especially with how hard the Target team works, but I’m still shocked. I think tomorrow is going to be straight-out speed, especially when it comes down to the final 40 or 50 laps. You need to be fast. Last year it seemed like (Sam) Hornish (Jr.) just pulled away from field. Hopefully, the car stays the same tonight and we don’t change too much for tomorrow’s race.”
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