Franchitti Qualifies on the Pole in Klein Tools/Jim Beam Car

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (April 1, 2006) - Klein Tools/Jim Beam driver Dario Franchitti set a
track record and collected his 14th career major open-wheel pole position for Sunday's running of the
Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
Franchitti, who has been one of the quickest three drivers throughout practice, maintained his
speed during the single-car qualifying session and scored the quickest lap time.  In the 10-minute
"Firestone Fast Six Shootout," Franchitti bettered the other five drivers with a best-lap speed of 104.054
miles per hour (1:02.2753 seconds).
The second of 14 races on the Indy Racing League® IndyCar® Series schedule goes green at
3:45 p.m. (EDT) with ESPN providing live coverage beginning at 3:30 p.m. (EDT).  It can also be heard
live by XM Satellite Radio subscribers on XM channel 145.

Dario Franchitti, #27 Klein Tools/Jim Beam Dallara/Honda/Firestone:
"The Klein Tools/Jim Beam car has been good all weekend.  We had a good balance in
qualifying.  Allen McDonald and the Klein Tools/Jim Beam boys had it absolutely right today.  The
Firestone tires have held on well so we can do qualifying runs that are five or six laps here, so hopefully
that bodes well for tomorrow.  This is a typical street-course race, so you've got to get through that first
turn.  Once you're through the first turn you can get on with the rest of the race."


2006 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Qualifying
Pos.      Name                          Speed (mph)          Time (secs)
1       Dario Franchitti                 104.054            1:02.2753
2       Scott Dixon                      103.522            1:02.5951
3       Tony Kanaan                      103.493            1:02.6127
4       Sam Hornish Jr.                  103.389            1:02.6758
5       Helio Castroneves                103.270            1:02.7482
6       Bryan Herta                      103.058            1:02.8774
7       Buddy Rice                       101.943            1:03.5648
8       Tomas Scheckter                  101.704            1:03.7143
9       Kosuke Matsuura                  101.562            1:03.8033
10      Marco Andretti                   101.432            1:03.8853
11      Roberto Moreno                   101.336            1:03.9455
12      Vitor Meira                      101.217            1:04.0206
13      Dan Wheldon                      101.208            1:04.0267
14      Danica Patrick                   100.553            1:04.4436
15      Scott Sharp                       99.909            1:04.8588
16      Felipe Giaffone                   99.106            1:05.3845
17      Eddie Cheever Jr.                 98.860            1:05.5475
18      Buddy Lazier                      97.822            1:06.2425
19      P.J. Chesson                      94.150            1:08.8266