Dixon edges Franchitti to capture pole for second Honda Indy Toronto event

TORONTO – Scott Dixon captured the pole position Saturday for the second race of the doubleheader at the Honda Indy Toronto.

The New Zealand driver posted the fastest time in the second round of qualifying at 58.9686 seconds, just finishing ahead of Target Chip Ganassi teammate Dario Franchitti, who was second in 59.1905 seconds.

Dixon earned his 19th career pole.

It was another strong showing for Franchitti, who won the opening round of qualifying Friday to claim the pole for Saturday’s first event of the doubleheader weekend in the IndyCar circuit’s lone Canadian stop this season.

Penske’s Helio Castroneves, the current circuit leader, will start third following a time of 59.1953 seconds followed by Andretti Autosport’s Ryan Hunter-Reay, the defending race and circuit champion who had a fast lap of 59.3915 seconds.

It was another tough qualifying session for the two Canadian drivers.

James Hinchcliffe of Oakville, Ont., was sixth in his group with a time of 59.6750 seconds and will start 12th, three spots behind Alex Tagliani of Lachenaie, Que., who had a fast lap of 59.7601 seconds.

In opening qualifying Friday for the first race of the weekend, neither Hinchcliffe nor Tagliani got past the first round with Hinchcliffe starting 14th provisionally, three spots ahead of Tagliani.