For the second consecutive season, Scott Dixon and Helio Castroneves will share the front row for the Iowa Corn Indy 250 presented by Pioneer after the starting line-up was set by entrant points after rain forced the cancellation of qualifying.
Dixon, the current points leader on the strength of three victories so far this season, was awarded the pole, while Castroneves, who trails the Indianapolis 500 winner by 35 points, will start second. Twelve months ago, the inaugural race at Iowa Speedway saw Dixon earn the pole and lead ten laps before finishing tenth, while Castroneves led 59 laps, but only finished eighth.
"Starting on points is not the way anyone wants to see it - everyone wants to see qualifying go off because it would have been exciting with the conditions," Dixon commented, "But it's a great start for us. This track is very much about track position and, with the rain-out, we're starting in a much better position than we would have, so it's a good thing."
"I actually feel the same way as Scott - it's tough to start like this, but it's a pay-off for the entire season," Castroneves echoed, "I have a great race car and a good qualifying car, so I'm just really excited for the race tomorrow."
The Brazilian was in the process of qualifying when the session was called off.
"I saw some rain drops, but I was telling myself 'think it's dry, think it's dry'," he smiled, "It's one of those situations that you don't want anything affecting your performance, especially when it's so tough when you have to go flat-out right away. They called it, and it was the right decision to make to call it when they did. It would have just done the same for someone else later. The good news is that it didn't affect anyone."
Dixon was only ninth-fastest in practice on Saturday, while Castroneves was seventh as rookie Hideki Mutoh, who will start seventh, recorded the fastest lap of the day, lapping the 7/8-mile oval in 17.4023secs.
