The results after yesterday’s practice rounds at the Honda Indy Toronto may have surprised some, but hardly anyone was amazed when Scotsman Dario Franchitti emerged as the pole winner of today’s qualifying rounds. Franchitti, who in 1999 won the CART Racing event after leading for 95 laps during the race, has as of late been on a hot streak, ranking second in the IndyCar standings this season and winning three Peak Performance pole awards.
- Jutsin Wilson, Dario Franchitti and Will Power during the post-qualifcation press conference. Franchitti commented on the state of racing in the city: and the fans still love their racing. It is truly a great experience everytime I come to Toronto. Photos/Matthew Filipowich
The Peak Performance award is given to the racer with the fastest qualifying time at each Indy event.
Despite his success, Franchitti refuses to take the Honda Indy track for granted.The track is still as challenging as ever, says the Scotsman, and the fans still love their racing. It is truly a great experience everytime I come to Toronto.
- Canadas Alex Tagliani preparing to enter the car before the start of the qualification session.
Canadian underdog Alex Tagliani surprised the field today with his 5th place finish in the qualifying rounds, his best qualifying ranking in the IndyCar Series and an unexpected turn after his teams financial problems and his absence from recent IndyCar events.
We feel pretty good to out-qualify two Penske Cars, says Tagliani, referring to Penske Racing, the team to which Hélio Castranoves belongs. Tagliani, however,
remains modest about his prospects for tomorrow: No guarantee that I am going to do good. I just need to stay out of trouble.
The Honda Indy Toronto begins tomorrow at 1 p.m.
View the rest of the photos from the day here and the rest of The Medium’s Honda Indy Toronto coverage here.
