Kanaan Remains Up Front
RacingOne Staff
It looks like Tony Kanaan is liking the view from the front.
After winning last weekend's Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi, Kanaan has remained at the front of the field at Kansas Speedway, winning the AAMCO Pole Award for tomorrow's Kansas Lottery Indy 300.
Running a fast lap of 214.188 mph around the 1.5-mile speedway, the driver of the No. 11 7-Eleven Dallara-Honda captured his first pole of the season and seventh of his IndyCar Series career.
"It's great momentum and a very good start to the season for Team 7-Eleven as far as results," Kanaan said. "It's been my best average since 2004 when I won the championship. We're building it up and we will see what we can do."
Defending race winner Sam Hornish Jr. will start alongside Kanaan after setting the second best qualifying run of the day, 213.992 mph.
"We started second here last year and won the race, so maybe it's a good omen we're starting second," Hornish said. "Anyone in the top 10 can work their way through the traffic if you have a good-handling car. I see a lot more closeness in the first six to seven cars than there was at the Homestead race."
Helio Castroneves, Dan Wheldon and Scott Dixon rounded out the top five in the session.
Andretti Green Racing’s good day did not end with the pole position. Dario Franchitti (sixth), marco Andretti (ninth) and Danica Patrick (10th) all qualified inside the top 10 for the second consecutive race.
Competing in her first career IndyCar Series event, Milka Duno will start from the rear of the field after setting a fast lap of 208.256 mph, almost eight-tenths off the pace of the leader.
"It was a successful day, though we know we don't have the speed," said Duno, driving the No. 23 CITGO Dallara/Honda/Firestone for SAMAX Motorsport. "We kept learning in practice and we'll learn more in the race."
Sunday’s 200 lap event will take the green flag shortly after 4:30 p.m. (ET) with live coverage available on the IMS Radio Network, XM Satellite Radio and ESPN 2 (TV).