Dixon gets 1st pole of season

Chip Ganassi Racing driver snaps Penske’s qualifying streak.

Scott Dixon won his DETROIT — first pole of the year, snapping Penske Racing’s streak of having the fastest car in IndyCar qualifying this season.

Dixon hopes the favorable position — thanks to clocking a track record of 1 minute, 10.3162 seconds Saturday — will help him snap a five-race winless skid this year.

It certainly should help the two-time series champion’s chances to win the 28th race of his career at the Detroit Grand Prix, where a slick and tight 2.07-mile course isn’t known for much maneuvering. The past two races on Belle Isle, in 2008 and 2007, had just nine lead changes combined when Justin Wilson and Tony Kanaan won.

“It’s one of the toughest tracks we come to as far as passing,” Dixon said after earning his 18th career pole. “It’s definitely a handful to get around here.

“It’s a fun track, but man it’s crazy out there.

Penske’s Will Power, the IndyCar points leader, will start today’s race alongside Dixon in the front row, Alex Tagliani will begin a season-best third with Simon Pagenaud fourth and EJ Viso fifth. Dixon gave Chip Ganassi Racing its first pole this year and hopes to give the team its second straight win.

It will be tough for Dario Franchitti to do it.

The reigning Indianapolis 500 champion and Ganassi driver will start 15th in the 25car field. He blamed Ed Carpenter’s sputtering car and questionable tactics for getting in his way and slowing him down in qualifying.

“When a faster car does come up, get the hell out of the road,” Franchitti said. “At some point, when we’re in that position we can return the favor.”

Franchitti, though, acknowledged it might be difficult to get payback by winning a race that doesn’t lend itself to passing.

“It’s tough,” he said. “There’s going to be a lot of aggression from everyone back there.”