Dario Franchitti wins the pole for tomorrow's Bombardier Leerjet 550k

We know the IndyCar races are always thrilling from start to finish at the Texas Motor Speedway and if you take the practices and tonight's qualifying as a preview, it should be another tight race tomorrow night.


Dario Franchitti won his first PEAK Performance Pole Award of 2009.  It was the seventh time in his career he's won the pole and first since 2007.  His four lap average of 214.513 mph.  "To win the pole at Texas says a lot about the Target guys and the job they do building the car." said Franchitti after qualifying.  "The regulations are so tight now that it's all about the details. The cars are so similar. It's all about how the guys build the car and the changes they make. The team makes a great car and it's my job in qualifying is not to screw it up. If the car is fast enough, you're looking good. Tomorrow is going to be interesting. It's a tough, long and demanding race."

Ryan Briscoe finished 1/100th of a second back and  will start alongside Franchitti on the front row.

Scott Dixon is in good position to defend last years title at TMS, finishing third with a time of 214.296.  Dixon is also the IRL points leader.

Helio Castroneves will also start out of the second row with a time of 214.228.

Danica Patrick rounds out the top five after with a 213.929.

Highlights and reaction from qualifying tonight on The 33 News