Fort Worth, TX (My Sportsbook) - Dario Franchitti edged Ryan Briscoe in Friday's qualifying to win the pole for the Bombardier Learjet 550 at Texas Motor Speedway.
Franchitti topped the charts with a four-lap average of 214.513 m.p.h. in his Target Chip Ganassi Racing car for his seventh career IndyCar Series pole, but his first since the 2007 season-finale at Chicagoland Speedway.
"When you come qualifying at these one-and-a-half mile tracks, especially Texas, it's all about the details," Franchitti said. "Tomorrow, it's all business out there, and you got to fend off all these crazy guys."
In 2008, Franchitti spent most of the season in NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series competition, but his efforts in stock car racing did not go as well as he and Ganassi expected. Franchitti's Sprint Cup team at Ganassi ceased operation due to lack of sponsorship in the middle of last year. He returned to IndyCar racing last September.
Franchitti nipped Ryan Briscoe by 0.045 seconds and earned one point for winning the pole, putting him three markers behind leader and teammate Scott Dixon, who qualified third.
Briscoe's outside pole marked the third straight race that he has either started first or second.
Helio Castroneves, the reigning Indianapolis 500 champion, rebounded after last weekend's frustrating performance at The Milwaukee Mile.
"Today was unfortunately flat, pedal to the metal, nothing going on and was just one of those days," Castroneves said. "It was much better than last weekend. We will finally be able to be in the front."
Castroneves crashed during qualifying at Milwaukee and had to start from the rear of the field. He dealt with an ill-handling car, which forced him to make a lengthy pit stop. Castroneves fell three laps behind and ended up with an 11th-place finish.
Danica Patrick and Mario Moraes will start on the third row, while Dan Wheldon and Marco Andretti will roll off from row four in the 342-mile (550 kilometer) race.
Robert Doornbos and Ed Carpenter grabbed the ninth and 10th starting positions.
Saturday's race is scheduled for 9:40 p.m. (et).
