IPS: Michigan: Qualifying report

Luyendyk edges Foyt for Michigan pole.

BROOKLYN, Mich., Saturday, July 27, 2002 -- Two of the great names of Indy Racing history dueled for the pole July 27 at Michigan International Speedway, with Luyendyk beating Foyt for the top spot.

Arie Luyendyk Jr., son of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Arie Luyendyk, won the pole for the Indy Racing Infiniti Pro Series race Sunday at MIS with a top lap of 39.6803 seconds, 181.450 mph in the No. 5 Luyendyk Racing Dallara/Infiniti/Firestone. A.J. Foyt IV, grandson of four-time Indianapolis 500 winner A.J. Foyt, was second.

"I think the engine temperatures got a little too hot, and that's why I got progressively slower," said Luyendyk, 20. "The car was great. I had a little bit of a push, but it was a great car to drive.

"We're going a lot quicker down the backstraight, and I picked up a push going into (Turn) 3 because of that. Then you could feel really when you came through (Turn) 4 that the wind hits you, and the car slowed down immediately."

The 100-mile race starts at 12:30 p.m. (EDT) Sunday.

It was Luyendyk's first career pole in the new Indy Racing League development series, but it didn't come without a little suspense. The Luyendyk Racing crew couldn't get the car started when it was Luyendyk's turn in the order. But the car started shortly thereafter, and Luyendyk took to the 2-mile oval.

Foyt took the outside spot on the front row with a lap of 39.8711, 180.582 in the No. 14 Harrah's/A.J. Foyt Racing entry.

"We ran the fastest we have ever ran these last two days by ourselves," Foyt said. "We just weren't quick enough. Hopefully we will be good in the race.

"If me and Arie get hooked up, we can work together and get away from those guys."

G.J. Mennen was third at 40.0385, 179.827 in the No. 99 Greased Lightning Automotive Cleaning Products entry.

Ronnie Johncox, from nearby Jackson, Mich., was fourth at 40.0569, 179.744 in the No. 8 Rev. 1 Racing Special entry, while actor-driver Jason Priestley rounded out the top five at 40.0588, 179.736 in the No. 7 HomeMed Pharmacy entry.

Series points leader Cory Witherill qualified 11th at 40.7056, 176.880 in the No. 92 WSA Healthcare entry.

-irl/ips-