It was a very dramatic last half hour at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Saturday with beautiful sunny weather shining on Pole Day.

HELIO CASTRONEVES grabbed the pole position very late Saturday afternoon with a four-lap average speed of 225.817mph. He had qualified fourth, but withdrew his time at the last minute and got in line, replacing MICHAEL ANDRETTI, who pulled out of line while sitting on the bubble. Up to that point, DARIO FRANCHITTI had held onto the pole spot for five hours with 225.191mph.

Franchitti was almost upset by last year's Indy 500 winner, SAM HORNISH Jr, who made two late runs, one of which was withdrawn. In each case, three of the four laps were quicker, but the fourth one not. The first run was withdrawn and Hornish immediately ran again, and sits fifth in the line-up.

TONY KANAAN made a second run at the very last minute and was on the track when the gun went off, ending the session. He almost unseated Castroneves, but averaged 225.757mph for second place. Franchitti ended up third, on the front row. SCOTT DIXON was fourth fastest.

A very ebullient Brazilian bubbled on at the pole ceremonies, as Castroneves thanked his team-mate, Hornish, for all the good information which helped his run.

Temperatures were in the low seventies to start, with the track temperature at 101 degrees F. Twenty-two drivers made an attempt, all with the Dallara chassis.

Three multi-car teams had all their cars in the field - Andretti Green Racing (five) and Team Penske and Target Chip Ganassi (two each). Also, the Penske satellite team, Luczo Dragon Racing made the field, as did one car from Vision Racing.

Sunday's schedule calls for another two-hour practice and another six hours of qualifying, for the next eleven positions on the grid. The weather forecast continues fair.