For the sixth time this season, Scott Dixon qualified on the pole Friday for Saturday night’s Kentucky Indy
300 as the Target Chip Ganassi Racing driver and IndyCar Series points leader continues to dominated
the 2008 season. It is Dixon’s 13th career IndyCar Series pole, tying him for second on the all-time list
with Greg Ray. Helio Castroneves, who qualified sixth tonight, leads the list with 25 career poles.
Panther Racing’s Vitor Meira will start second after his best qualifying performance of 2008, with Dixon’s
teammate Dan Wheldon third and rookie points leader Hideki Mutoh, fourth. An apparent suspension
problem in the final practice sent Danica Patrick heavily into the Turn Two wall. Patrick was uninjured,
but missed qualifying as a result and will start on the last row. Bruno Junqueira also missed qualifying as
his Dale Coyne Racing team performed major setup changes to his Honda Dallara after practice and
missed the call to the qualifying line. He will start at the rear of the 26-car field. Saturday’s 200-lap race
“twilight” race starts at 6:30 p.m. EDT, with live television coverage on ESPN2.
Scott Dixon (#9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Honda) pole qualifier, 6th pole of 2008 and 13th career
pole:
“I definitely have to thank my guys. They did a great job of prepping the car and it was very quick
right out of the trailer today. We changed very little all day long. It was set up so well that all I had to do
was stand on the gas and turn left. But I think you can win from any starting position at this track.
Firestone has brought us a very grippy, consistent tire and, as a result, I think you’re going to see a return
to ‘pack’ racing here tomorrow night. It should be a great race.” |
August 8, 2008
