IndyCar Long Beach 2013: Dario Franchitti scores much-needed pole

From last place in the championship standings to P1 in the starting lineup for tomorrow’s Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, Dario Franchitti was fastest in Firestone Fast Six qualifying on Saturday afternoon.

Franchitti is competing in his 250th Indy car race, set an IZOD IndyCar Series track record at 1 minute, 07.2379 second during the final seconds of the 10-minute final session to earn his first pole since Toronto in July. Franchitti is the defending pole-sitter of this race and last won the event in 2009 - his only victory at the temporary California street circuit.

“That meant a lot,” Franchitti said. “We had a very fast race car in Barber, but man, we really made a mess of qualifying. Today it was nice to go out there and really have a great car and get everything out of it. So thank you to everyone on the Target team because it’s been a tough start to the season.”

Defending IZOD IndyCar Series champion Ryan Hunter-Reay was .0555 of a second back in his No. 1 DHL Chevy V6 for Andretti Autosport and will start on the front row for the second consecutive race. Defending race-winner Will Power, Takuma Sato and Mike Conway will round out the starting top-five.

AJ Allmendinger in just his second start in the IndyCar Series qualified in the 14th starting position.

Marco Andretti was penalized for interference early in the second group of the first session and did not advance as a result. The complete qualifying results can be found below.