Power posts best lap in qualifying to take pole position at Honda Indy

Will Power isn’t putting much stock in the advantage of his first-ever pole position at the Honda Indy Toronto.

The Australian stayed on course to defend his Toronto title when he posted the fastest lap in qualifying on a sun-splashed Saturday afternoon with a time of 59.577 seconds at the temporary street course at Exhibition Place.

New Zealander Scott Dixon, who posted the second fastest time in 59.665, will start ahead of Target Chip Ganassi teammate and IndyCar points leader Dario Franchitti (59.900).

Power, driving the No. 12 car for Team Penske, will be looking for his third victory in Toronto after taking the checkered flag also in 2007. However, he says it won’t come easy, as Toronto is the kind of street circuit where mayhem happens and cars can surge from the rear of the pack.

“I don’t think qualifying is big deal because I really think you can come from the back and win this race,” said Power during a press conference where a sponsored container of oil was strategically placed in front of his microphone.

“It’s such a fun track because you absolutely wring the car’s neck in every possible way. On the brakes, on power, everywhere. It’s always fun.”

His dismissive attitude toward pole advantage prompted a ball cap-wearing Dixon to suggest Power try racing from well back of the 26-car field on Sunday.

“I’ll gladly start from the back. Less pressure,” shot back Power with a laugh.

If it is possible to win the Toronto Indy from behind in the starting field, that’s promising news for the Canadian drivers. Alex Tagliani of Lachenaie, Que., will start in ninth place, Toronto rookie James Hinchcliffe in 13th and local veteran Paul Tracy in the 24th position.

“You are never set in this particular race until the checkered flag drops,” said Tagliani. “You need to be pretty much on your toes here in Toronto. Anything can happen, and we’ll try to be on the right end of the strategy tomorrow.”

Although Hinchcliffe was the top finishing rookie Saturday, the 24-year-old was disappointed in his qualifying result. He’s making his first start in the IndyCar finale after years on the junior formulas and a lifetime as a local fan watching from the grandstands.

“I guess it’s a sign of our competitiveness when as a rookie you’re angry to be 13th,” said Hinchcliffe. “But you always want to get the maximum performance out of your package and we didn’t do that today.

“Tomorrow is going to be about survival, this race often turns into a race of attrition and there’s definitely some places to pass. We know that tomorrow is a different day, and these races are very long and a lot can happen.”

Also in the mix Sunday will be top-6 qualifying finishers Mike Conway of Britain, American Graham Rahal and Hinchcliffe’s Newman/Haas Spanish teammate Oriol Servia. Fan favourite Danica Patrick will start 21st and Brazilian Tony Kanaan at 16th.

Franchitti currently leads the IndyCar championship with 303 points, 20 more than his rival Power and 73 more than Dixon.

The jutting-jawed Scot says he’s not concerned with Power in his rear view mirror when it comes to the points table. He’s more focused on navigating the surface bumps along the lakeside street course.

“I don’t keep my eye on one particular person, whether it’s Will or Scott, I just do the best I can,” he said. “This is the road we’ve got and it’s up to us. It’s going to be challenging in Turns 1 and 3, but we’re all supposedly professionals.

“We can all screw up too. It’s going to be a challenge and it’s up to us to make it work.”

Rahal, whose father Bobby Rahal took the checkered flag at the inaugural Toronto event 25 years ago, is hoping to capitalize on any such screw ups and then make his move.

“You’re pushing people hard, hopefully they’ll make some mistakes and you can get around them. You can definitely race here that’s for sure.”