Strong qualifying day for Team Penske

NEWTON - Penske power was on display in Central Iowa Saturday.

Team Penske showed exactly why it has all of its drivers in the top five of the IZOD IndyCar Series points standings.

Will Power led the way for Team Penske, earning his fourth pole this season, while teammates, Helio Castroneves and Ryan Briscoe, qualified fourth and eighth, respectively, during Saturday's IZOD IndyCar Iowa Corn Indy 250 qualifying at Iowa Speedway in Newton. The performances placed all three Penske cars in the first four rows of tomorrow's race that begins at 1:30 p.m. and will be televised on VERSUS.

Team Penske extended its season record, winning its seventh straight pole in the IZOD IndyCar Series poles. It's also their 190th career pole in open-wheel racing. 

“It just shows how strong the Penske cars are,” said Power, noting the team has had some good and bad runs in races. “You've got three really good drivers working hard together and three really good teams that work together. I think that's so important in this sport.”

Power's prowess is road course racing. Saturday was the first time he's earned the pole position on an oval track. Now, he's in search of his first win on an oval.

“It's great to get another pole, but I'd love to win a race on an oval,” Power said. “I'll be doing my best tomorrow to pull that off.”

He handled the track well Saturday, putting himself in position for that first oval win. Power, from Toowoomba, Australia, qualified in a time of 1 minute, 10.9925 second, recording an average speed of 181.337 miles per hour.

"I am very happy with the Verizon car today," Power said, "and our run was solid."

Power in the closet qualifying margin since IZOD IndyCar racing switched to four-lap qualifying in 2008. Dixon, a member of Target Chip Ganassi Racing, qualified in the top 10 for the 40th consecutive race.

“We barely missed it,” Dixon said. “We will try to improve even more tomorrow and hopefully get some points for the championship, but I'm happy with today.”

The 7/8-mile track, the only short track on the IZOD IndyCar Series schedule, forces drivers to race a physical race in tight traffic. Starting out front has its advantages early.

“The further up you start the easier it is for you,” Power said. “The longer your tires last as well. It's important but after about 20 laps you'll be back running in traffic like everyone.”

The key will be consistency and running strong for a long period of time, even with starting ahead of the 25-car field.

“It does help but you've seen in the past people have come from fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and still make their way up to the front.”

Power was approached by Castroneves after the former “Dancing with the Stars” champion made his qualifying run in 1:11.1706. Castroneves congratulated his teammate.

Castroneves has started in the front row for each of the last three Iowa Corn races, but hasn't finished higher than seventh. He's fine with his spot for the drop of the green flag.

“Second row outside is certainly a good spot,” Castroneves said. “We're going to go out there and try our best.”

Briscoe is looking for consecutive victories after claiming the checkered flag at Firestone 550K at Texas Motor Speedway June 5. Briscoe, also from Australia, ran 1:11.2541.

"We had a solid qualifying result and most importantly we feel we have a good car for the race," Briscoe said. "I think we're in good shape for tomorrow."

Briscoe was the runner-up last year, leading 85 laps - the most by any driver last year. He gave way to Franchitti, who won his second Iowa Corn 250 in his second start. Franchitti will started fifth in the inside position of the third row today.

“I've had two great cars I've driven here in 2007 and last year,” Franchitti said. “I hope we can do that again.”