Scott Dixon’s No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car was short on fuel for his qualifying run Saturday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. That opened the door for Alex Tagliani to claim the top spot and the pole for Sunday’s centennial anniversary Indianapolis 500.
2011 Indy 500: Scott Dixon Irked Over Missed Pole Position Opportunity
Dixon ran out of fuel in the final turn of his four-lap qualifying run and finished with a 227.340 mph average. Tagliani won the pole with a 227.472 mph average. Dixon was miffed by the mistake, not just because it cost him the top spot but because he understands how rare it is to get:
“I was a little ticked off at the mistake that we made on the fuel because it did cost us the pole...That’s the frustrating part. This will be my ninth year at Indy and we’ve been on the pole once, in 2008. It’s not like they come around too often. Obviously that’s a little disappointing.”
Dixon win the Indy 500 in 2008 when he had the pole position. He’s finished fifth and sixth in the two years since.
He doesn’t want to make a mistake like this one again on Sunday, when it’s even more important.
For more on the race, stay with our 2011 Indy 500 StoryStream. Be sure to head over to Pop Off Valve for all things IndyCar, including the three excellent Indy 500 resources: The Indy 500 experience, Indy 500 traditions and the history of the Indy 500 and the Brickyard.
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