Scott Dixon has claimed pole for tomorrow’s Twin Ring Motegi road course IndyCar race.
The Kiwi’s pole means that he has now scored pole positions on both Twin Ring Motegi oval and road course.
Dixon, driving the Target Chip Ganassi Racing car, posted a best lap of 1m38.3918s on the 2.983-mile, 14-turn circuit to claim the PEAK Performance Pole Award presented by AutoZone for the Indy Japan.
Australian championship contender Will Power will start from second, while fellow Aussie and Team Penske team-mate Ryan Briscoe qualified fourth.
Dixon, who will compete with Stone Brothers Racing in the Armor All Gold Coast 600 in October, says that he was lucky to get the pole, considering a lack of pace in the final sector.
“To be honest, I was up on my quick lap from Q1 by two or three-tenths of a second, but then I kept losing it in the last section here in Turns 12, 13 and 14,” said Dixon.
“It was a bit frustrating but we just got it. We’re on the pole and that’s what counts. It feels very special to be on the pole for the last race here at Motegi.”
It was the 17th pole of Dixon’s Indy car career, tying Emerson Fittipaldi for 18th on the all-time list.
While Power trails Dario Franchitti in the overall standings, he takes a 14 point in the final road course event. If Power can hold out Franchitti, he’ll win his second-consecutive Mario Andretti Road Trophy (for road course events). Franchitti will line-up ninth.
Graham Rahal and Briscoe will share Row 2 and James Hinchcliffe and Helio Castroneves will occupy Row 3.
Charlie Kimball (seventh) and James Jakes (eighth) posted season-high starting positions.
