Patrón Highcroft Racing will start today's Acura Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg from the front row of the grid after Scott Sharp set the second-fastest time in qualifying today.

Sharp was the first man to dip below the 1 minute, 4 second mark for the 1.8 mile St Pete street circuit which utilizes a main runway of the Albert Whitted airport as well as the surrounding streets.

His time of 1 minute, 4.799 seconds locked in a front row position aboard the #9 Patrón Highcroft Racing Acura ARX-002a.

Sharp will share the Patrón car with David Brabham in tomorrow's one hour, 55 minute race.

The American-Australian duo finished second in the LMP2 class here at St. Petersburg in 2008.  Brabham and Stefan Johansson also finished third at this same venue in 2007.

Patrón Highcroft Racing will also be out to collect miles for its Miles to End Malaria partnership with Malaria No More which raises funds for malaria mosquito nets for African families.  Race fans can join the program at http://www.milestoendmalaria.org

Today's race starts at 1:20pm and will be shown live in the US on ABC.

ST PETERSBURG ON TV

USAABCSaturday April 4

1:30pm - Acura Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg Race

EUROPEMotors TVSunday April 5

4:00pm - Acura Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg Race

UNITED KINGDOMMotors TVSunday April 5

3:00pm - Acura Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg Race