US motorsport: Dario ready for Indy500

DOUBLE IndyCar champ Dario Franchitti will start his bid for a second Indy500 victory from the front row of the grid for Sunday's Indianapolis 500, writes JIM McGILL.

The 36-year-old from Bathgate, who won in 2007, 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 which earned him 15 IndyCar Championship points and $175,000.

"It's frustrating not to get pole," Franchitti admitted, "but Helio got everything right 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."