Mid-Ohio: Firestone qualifying report

FIRESTONE FIREHAWK QUALIFYING REPORT

"Firestone Fast Six" Qualifying Results (mph): 1. Ryan Briscoe (121.905); 2. Justin Wilson (121.870); 3. Scott Dixon (121.282); 4. Graham Rahal (121.210); 5. Helio Castroneves (120.999); 6. Dario Franchitti (120.643).

Firestone qualifying highlight: Team Penske's Ryan Briscoe captured his third pole position of the season, crediting the Firestone red-sidewall alternate tires for helping him to the top spot in the Firestone Fast Six session. Each car had two sets of "reds" at its disposal for all of qualifying, and teams used varying strategies to advance through the knockout rounds. The attached chart indicates tire usage for those driver who competed in the Firestone Fast Six. Following qualifying, each car received an additional set of new Firehawk alternate tires that must be used for at least two green-flag laps during Sunday's race.

Qualifying temperatures: Track temperatures ranged from 76-91 F (24-33 C) and ambient temperatures from 70-76 F (21-24 C) ambient.

From pole winner Ryan Briscoe, #6 Team Penske Dallara/Honda/Firestone: "It's been tricky conditions so far with the rain, and there are some patches in the corners which changes the balance of the car from corner to corner. But those red Firestones in final qualifying were awesome - a lot of grip and, as usual, a lot of fun to drive. The team has a lot of history here, we love the track. All the credit to the engineers and mechanics at Team Penske; they give us a fantastic car to drive. They make my job a whole lot easier."

From Joe Barbieri, Manager, Firestone Racing: "Ryan Briscoe certainly has the momentum going in his favor, taking the pole today coming off last weekend's exciting win at Kentucky. He definitely liked the Firestone alternate tires today, and it bears noting that Scott Dixon set the IndyCar Series qualifying lap record for Mid-Ohio (121.927 mph) on the 'reds' during the second segment today. So the alternates possess the speed advantage we anticipated when they were designed. Now it's up to the drivers and teams to see who manages them best over the course of a long run in tomorrow's race. As usual, it should be an exciting race and we believe tire strategy will play a pivotal role in determining the outcome."

-credit: firestone