Justin Wilson will start the final Champ Car World Series event from pole position after taking the McDonalds car to top spot in second qualifying.
The Briton appeared to be on course for second on the grid - a front row spot having been guaranteed by his front-running performance on Friday - when both Alex Tagliani and Franck Perera bettered his benchmark, but Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing hit back in the final moments to allow Wilson to post the fastest time of the weekend so far.
“I knew the McDonald's car was working well and I was on a really good lap early in the session, [but] we came into turn nine and a car spun between nine and ten and it was quite frustrating because I know I was up four‑tenths on my previous lap, which was probably pretty good.
"I was expecting to be in the mid‑sixes at that point, but there was a car in the way and I had to back off. After that, I had overshot my tyres and was sliding around a bit more.
"We had to push hard and the team was telling me there was a lap time I had to beat, so I was just very pleased to sneak one in there in the last few seconds and get my car on pole again.”
Tagliani and Perera will start second and third respectively after their second session improvements proved better than their rivals, but Oriol Servia - second overnight - slipped to twelfth on the combined timesheet after failing to post a time on Saturday afternoon.
"It was a good session for us and we made some major improvements from yesterday on the red tyres," Tagliani commented, "I think it was a good choice, because it gave us an indication of where we need to go to improve the car. The car was much quicker. We are so happy to be on the front row. The guys did an amazing job and I just have to thank them again."
