Long Beach: Justin Wilson qualifying report

Justin qualifies 5th for Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach

Justin and Dale Coyne Racing made it through to the final qualifying round for Sunday's Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, posting the fifth fastest time in the Firestone Fast Six (1:10.268s, 100.825 mph). Justin will head up the 3rd row on the grid in the #18 Z-Line Designs entry alongside sixth fastest qualifier Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing). Will Power took pole position for Team Penske (1:09.7107s, 101.631 mph), ahead of Dario Franchitti (Chip Ganassi Racing) who will start from P2.

"Anytime you make it through to the Firestone Fast Six you're happy," said Justin. "The Z-Line Designs car was working very well and we set a really quick time in the second session. I was very happy with that, but we just couldn't repeat it in the final session."

Justin was fastest in his group during the first round of qualifying and was P2 in the second round on the alternate, softer (red-sidewalled) Firestone Firehawk tyres. His final qualifying result came on the prime, harder tyre compound.

"There's a pretty big difference between the prime and softer compounds here," Justin explained. "The softer tyres definitely have a lot more grip and that's a cool feeling, but when you put the prime tyres back on you're slipping and sliding a lot. We just didn't quite have the balance that we'd had before and though we made a few small changes as the final session went on, it wasn't enough. All in all we're very happy and I think that gives us a good chance for the race. We can definitely aim for another podium, if not win this thing."

-credit: justinwilson.co.uk