Franchitti returns to scene of sublime, grabs Richmond pole

RICHMOND, Va. — Dario Franchitti hasn’t lost his touch at Richmond International Raceway, even if he wasn’t so sure during his four-lap qualifying run Friday night.

"The car was understeering off (Turn) 2, and it was probably oversteering out of 4, so it took some hanging onto," Franchitti said after averaging 167.315 mph in his trip around the smallest oval in the IndyCar Series to win the pole for tonight’s race.

In his last visit to the track, in 2007, Franchitti led 242 of the 250 laps, including the last 179, and the victory helped him claim the series championship. He then left the open wheel racers for NASCAR, but his stay there was abbreviated, and he’s back and contending.

Franchitti will start the 300-lap SunTrust Indy Challenge tied for the series lead with two victories through seven races, trailing points leader Ryan Briscoe by three points.

Scott Dixon, Franchitti’s Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammate, claimed the outside spot on the front row with a speed of 166.638, and Team Penske teammates Helio Castroneves and points leader Ryan Briscoe will start in the second row.

Danica Patrick, fifth in points, will start 10th.

• NHRA — At Norwalk, Ohio, Larry Dixon turned in a time of 3.882 seconds (301.74 mph) to take the provisional lead in Top Fuel dragster after two rounds of the NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Nationals.

Mike Nuff (4.190 seconds, 279.73 mph) in Funny Car, Allen Johnson (6.649, 206.99) in Pro Stock and Matt Guidera (7.001, 187.11) in Pro Stock Motorcycles also led their classes in the NHRA Full Throttle event, which has its elimination finals Sunday.

• NATIONWIDE — At Daytona Beach, Fla., the Nationwide series will emulate the top NASCAR circuit by using double-file restarts with the leaders at the front throughout races, beginning with the event at Daytona International Speedway on Friday.