IPS: Cunningham on Watkins Glen provisional pole

Wade Cunningham set the pace through two practice sessions at Watkins Glen before setting a new Indy Pro Series record in qualifiyng, averaging 125.406 mph around the 3.37-mile road course. "It's good to have quick time today, just in case it rains tomorrow," said Cunningham.

A second qualifying session 9:00 Saturday morning will set the final Indy Pro Series grid for the first of two races this weekend.

Although brief showers fell throughout the day, track activities were not curtailed, nor were speeds affected. The track picked up rubber in the second IndyCar session and conditions were returned to normal prior to Pro Series qualifying.

Alex Lloyd set the second fastest lap after spending the entire qualifying session chasing Cunningham's times. When Lloyd would close on Cunningham's best, Cunningham would rip loose a quicker lap.

After struggling in the first practice session where he was seventh fastest, Lloyd made huge improvements prior to the second session. In qualifying, "We got everything we could out of the car," said Lloyd. "It wasn't enough for the provisional pole, but we put a good lap together. Tomorrow, weather permitting, should be a quicker session."

Daniel Herrington is third on the provisional grid, followed by Hideki Mutoh and Phil Giebler. Herrington said his recent test at Watkins Glen helped him get a good sense for the track, while Mutoh used Friday as his "learning day."

"I drove carefully and concentrated very hard on every lap," said Mutoh. "Although I made a couple of mistakes during qualifying, the time is not too bad."

While Phil Giebler knows the track well, his Playa Del Racing team is new to Watkins Glen. "They gave me a good car right out of the box and I felt comfortable," said Giebler, who only got ten laps in practice. Missing part of the practice session "didn't set us up too well for qualifying. We have another session tomorrow. We're going to study tonight and see what we can come up with."