Franchitti takes prime spot for Indy 500

Published on Sunday 10 May 2009 22:22

DARIO Franchitti will start on the front row of the grid for the Indy 500 later this month. On a day of differing fortunes for the five British drivers, it was Scotland's 2007 winner Franchitti who emerged the best of those flying the flag in America.

Franchitti qualified in the outside slot of the front row behind Team Penske duo Helio Castroneves, a two-time victor, and Ryan Briscoe. The Briton made his run early during the qualifying session, and then watched anxiously during the last hour as several drivers tried to nudge him off the front row.

"We were really concerned somebody would do that," said the Chip Ganassi driver who recorded a speed of 224.010mph at the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. "We knew we didn't have the pole speed, but we made the best of what we had."

Manchester's Alex Lloyd qualified 11th on the provisional grid in a Ganassi/Sam Schmidt entry, but it was an unhappy day for 2005 winner Dan Wheldon and Justin Wilson. During a practice run, Wheldon spun in turn two, making moderate contact with the outer wall, while Wilson's qualifying run was disqualified after his car was discovered to have an unapproved ballast located underneath which had been taped rather than bolted on.

Rookie Mike Conway chose not to make a qualifying attempt, instead concentrating on practice ahead of today's session when grid slots 12 to 22 will be decided for the 24 May race.

Pole-sitter Castroneves' four-lap average of 224.864 mph on the oval came with less than two hours remaining in the six-hour qualifying session.

Briscoe and several other challengers, including former Indy winner Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, Marco Andretti and 20-year-old Graham Rahal, then took shots at knocking Castroneves off top spot.

"This place is magic," said Castroneves. "It's just amazing. We just had to keep working through the weather, working through the day. Today was about finding the edge. The first attempt was a little easy. That means you're not going fast enough. We worked a little bit and made it a little bit tougher."