The Andretti Green Racing driver persevered through three rounds of knockout qualifications to claim the PEAK Motor Oil Pole Award for the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Call it a TK-oh.
The dramatic qualifying format that debuted on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn temporary street circuit will carry over to the other road/street events this season. Two groups of 13 cars each were randomly drawn to compete in Round 1, with both groups having 20 minutes to post their best lap times. The top six cars from each group advanced to Round 2, where they received 15 minutes on the circuit. The top six cars from that group of 12 advanced to the Firestone Fast Six. Times did not carry over from one round to another.
Three drivers from each of the two groups that were randomly drawn for the first round of qualifications advanced to the Firestone Fast Six.
"It was tough," said Kanaan, who claimed his 19th consecutive top-10 start. "I think the IndyCar Series is so competitive now that you have to give everything. When I finished the qualifying run, I was exhausted. With more good drivers, it makes it a lot more difficult, it makes me proud."
Five drivers who have transitioned to the IndyCar Series from Champ Car occupy the top 10 on the grid for the fourth annual race, including Will Power, who will join Kanaan on the front row. His No. 8 Aussie Vineyards-Team Australia car for KV Racing Technology topped Round 2 and he recorded a fast lap of 1:02.6096 (103.499 mph).
"My original goal was just to get into the Firestone Fast Six," said Power, whose six Champ Car poles all were on street courses. "But now I am a little disappointed that we didn't get the pole considering the time we posted in the previous session. But, overall, I'm happy to be on the front row."
Justin Wilson, driving the No. 02 McDonald's car for Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing (1:02.6426; 103.070 mph), and two-time defending race winner Helio Castroneves (1:02.6462; 103.248) will occupy Row 2.
"Obviously, I went as hard as anybody," said Castroneves, who won last year from the pole. "It was very competitive. We were able to get to the top six and start fourth, which is good. It was fast and difficult. Definitely interesting qualifying for the fans and everyone."
His Team Penske teammate, Ryan Briscoe (1:02.7071; 103.338) and Rahal Letterman Racing's Ryan Hunter-Reay (1:03.0077; 102.845) will start from Row 3.
"It's hard work," Briscoe said. "It's a long qualifying session and doing a lot of laps. I was happy with the car at the beginning of the qualifying, and then it went away from me when it got hotter. I think we should have been a bit better than where we are, but I'm happy to get into the fast six on my first try. I think we have a good race car."
KV Racing Technology's Oriol Servia (seventh), Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing's Graham Rahal (ninth) and Conquest Racing's Franck Perera are the other "transitional" drivers to start in the top 10.
"It was a tough qualifying but very exciting to have this type of qualifying like Formula 1," said Perera, who was bumped from the Firestone Fast Six by Castroneves' 11th (of 12) lap time. "It's really good to be in the top 10 with the short preparation we had and Conquest did again a good job. It's just a shame that we didn't get into the top six, but it was difficult with the conditions to have the perfect lap, but this result is still very good. I think we have the car to move up the field during the race."
Scott Dixon's streak of 25 consecutive top-10 starts was snapped. Knocked out in Round 2, it was the first time in 11 street/road races that Dixon did not qualify for the Firestone Fast Six. Castroneves is the only driver to participate in all 11 Firestone Fast Six sessions.
