Franchitti Scores Pole For Honda Indy Toronto

Toronto, July 11, 2009: Dario Franchitti will be starting from a familiar spot for the Honda Indy Toronto.

Franchitti, who started on the pole on the streets of Toronto as a rookie in 1997, posted a quick lap on the 1.755-mile, 11-turn circuit to top the Firestone Fast Six session for the 85-lap race July 12.

Will Power, making his first IndyCar Series start since the Indianapolis 500, also will be on the front row in the No. 12 Penske Truck Leasing car for Penske Racing. Graham Rahal and Justin Wilson, the winner six days earlier at Watkins Glen International, will share Row 2.

Alex Tagliani and Mike Conway will be on the third row. Six different teams were represented in the Firestone Fast Six. Among those missing out were Scott Dixon, Helio Castroneves and Ryan Briscoe -- all in the top five in the point standings.

Also on July 11, Sebastian Saavedra passed J.R. Hildebrand on Lap 18 of 50 and went on to a 5.8630-second victory over his AFS Racing/Andretti Green Racing teammate in the caution-free Firestone Indy Lights Grand Prix of Toronto.

James Hinchcliffe, a Toronto native, finished third -- for the fourth time this season - in the No. 7 Hinchtown/Sam Schmidt Motorsports car, and Stefan Wilson finished a season-high fourth in the No. 19 Walker Racing car.