Toronto: Firestone qualifying report

FIRESTONE FIREHAWK QUALIFYING REPORT

Firestone qualifying highlight: Dario Franchitti showed the tenacity of both the Firehawk primary and alternate tires by setting the fastest lap of a session on each specification. He was quickest in his group in segment one on a new set of primary, black-sidewall Firehawks. His pole-winning lap in the Firestone Fast Six came on a used set of alternate Firehawks.

Qualifying temperatures: Track temperatures ranged from 98o.-104o. F (37o.-40o. C) and ambient from 76o.-81o. F (24o.-27o. C) ambient.

From pole winner Dario Franchitti, #10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara/Honda/Firestone: "This place is a challenge, and when it came down to it, I pulled a lap out. That was a lap; that was all she had. I came in and said, 'Dude, if they can go quicker than that, they can have it.' I'm pretty happy."

From Joe Barbieri, Manager, Firestone Racing: "That sure was another nail-biting round of qualifying that went down to the final laps before being decided. Having the two specifications of Firestone tires definitely added to the drama again. Dario and the Target crew did a tremendous job using both the primary and alternate specs to their fullest in winning the pole. It was especially impressive to see them have the confidence in a used set of the alternate reds to put them back on his car for the Firestone Fast Six, go out and take the pole by more than a quarter-second. But Dario has been strong at Toronto since winning the pole in his very first race here in 1997, also on Firestone tires. It was also good to see strong qualifying showings from drivers like Will Power, Alex Tagliani and Mike Conway. It just shows the strength and depth of the IndyCar Series, and bodes for a great race tomorrow."

-credit: firestone motorsports