HM Plant Honda's Ryuichi Kiyonari will start from second on the grid for today's opening race after he was edged out by his team-mate Shane 'Shakey' Byrne in the final minutes of the session as the pair duelled for supremacy.

Kiyonari set a time that was under the lap record which has existed since 2007, but then his team-mate left it until the closing moments to push him down the order to second as the HM Plant Hondas locked out the top two grid positions. Kiyonari though has won three times on the Indy circuit in the past and is determined to find more pace in morning warm up as he bids to get his title defence off to a flying start.

Kiyonari said:"That was a hard session as everyone was faster than before, but I pushed as hard as I could and was hoping for the pole position. I knew Shakey was going to be fast as we have been pushing each other all weekend, but today he was too fast! I need to find some more time tomorrow in warm up as it is so close on the circuit, but I am feeling happy and want to get on the podium  for HM Plant Honda."