Andretti On Pole In Milwaukee

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Marco Andretti won the pole for the Milwaukee IndyFest race with a record two-lap qualifying speed of 170.515 mph on Friday in West Allis, Wis.

Andretti buried the previous mark of 168.737 mph set last year by Dario Franchitti. Andretti’s first pole in the IndyCar series came at the Milwaukee Mile in 2008.

James Hinchcliffe was the second-fastest qualifier and will start next to his Andretti Autosport teammate on the front row. Hinchcliffe posted the fastest lap of the day at 170.868 mph, but his two-lap average was behind Andretti’s.

“So far, that was about as good as we could run, so I’m pleased,” Andretti said. “I think the RC Cola car will be tough to beat. A win would be huge. I told Dad that hopefully (the pole) is only half of his Father’s Day gift.”

The top qualifier’s Andretti Autosport car is owned by his father, Michael, a former championship driver on the circuit.

The pole moved Andretti one point closer to series leader Helio Castroneves in the drivers’ standings. Andretti became the sixth different pole winner in nine IndyCar races this year.

Team Penske driver Will Power (170.212) qualified third. Ryan Hunter-Reay (170.100), and E.J. Viso (169.828), who both drive for Andretti Autosport, were fourth and fifth.

Indianapolis 500 winner Tony Kanaan claimed the seventh spot and Castroneves was well back in 18th.

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