Castroneves snatches IRL pole at Watkins Glen

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2005

WATKINS GLEN, United States (AFP) — Brazil's Helio Castroneves claimed pole position for Indy Racing League race here, bumping Kiwi Scott Dixon in a 10-minute run-off among Saturday's top six drivers.

The IRL has a unique road course qualification format, where the six fastest drivers go back on the track for 10 minutes in an attempt to improve.

Castroneves bettered his speed to 133.806 miles per hour to move up from second place, bumping Dixon from the pole.

Castroneves was second in single-lap qualifications at 132.625 mph in a Dallara/Toyota around the 3.37-mile, 11-turn road course.

"When you go for the single lap qualifying, you want to be sure you put it in the top six," Castroneves said. "I was taking it easy to make sure we were in the top...