Edmonton Q: Power sets up for repeat

Last week in Toronto, Justin WiIson spoiled the Penske pole streak, but it only took one week for Team Penske to get back in dominating form, with "Road Warrior" Will Power leading the way to capture his 6th pole of the season, the 9th for Team Penske.

Here is how the afternoon played out...

Round 1 - Group 1 (bold advanced)
Advanced:
#12 Will Power
#6 Ryan Briscoe
#3 Helio Castroneves
#10 Dario Franchitti
#22 Justin Wilson
#2 Raphael Matos

Did not make the cut:
#5 Takuma Sato
#15 Paul Tracy
#14 Vitor Meira
#7 Danica Patrick
#77 Alex Tagliani
#34 Mario Romancini
#18 Milka Duno

One look at the names on this list of this first group, and it was clear that this was probably the most stacked elimination round we've seen yet, since the inception of this style of qualifying. Anyone following the season could pre-determine at least 5 of the drivers who would advance, leaving only one spot left, and 7 drivers vying for it. As the session wound down and the times dropped, Matos, Sato and Tracy took turns in the 6th and final spot, with Matos, who has been consistent and fast all season, rounding out the 6 who would move on.
Biggest surprise this round: that neither of the hometown favorite Canadian drivers made it through to the second round.

Round 1 - Group 2 (bold advanced)

Advanced:
#78 Simona de Silvestro
#9 Scott Dixon
#37 Ryan Hunter-Reay
#06 Hideki Mutoh
#24 Tomas Scheckter
#8 E.J. Viso

Did not make the cut:
#26 Marco Andretti
#32 Mario Moraes
#4 Dan Wheldon
#19 Alex Lloyd
#11 Tony Kanaan
#36 Bertrand Baguette

This second group was also stacked with talent and potential, and proved to be the most exciting and surprising session thus far this season, with some "sure things" missing their marks, and a rookie breaking through in a big way. Early in the session, veteran Tony Kanaan found himself pulled behind the turn 7 wall, hopes of advancing dashed by a miscue and a run-in with the tire barrier. But it was Rookie Simona de Silvestro who lit the world on fire by not only advancing to the next round, but finished the session in the top spot, much to the delight of the crowd who ovated loudly upon her return to the pits.

Round 2 (bold advanced)

Advanced:
#12 Will Power
#3 Helio Castroneves
#9 Scott Dixon
#6 Ryan Briscoe
#10 Dario Franchitti
#8 E.J. Viso

#78 Simona de Silvestro
#22 Justin Wilson
#37 Ryan Hunter-Reay
#2 Raphael Matos
#06 Hideki Mutoh
#24 Tomas Scheckter


As usual, this round was the most challenging, and a flurry of fast lap after fast lap, with everyone laying it all out in an attempt to not only advance to the next round, but also beat the threat of the oncoming storm (which never actually made it to the track, but lingered menacingly alongside) By the wave of the checkered flag, It was Team Penske vs Team Ganassi, with one spot left. That spot was looking to go to either Ryan Hunter-Reay or Justin Wilson. Turns out, EJ Viso had something to say about that, knocking them both out of the running in the final laps to advance to the top 6.

Biggest story of this session: De Silvestro just barely missed making it into the final round by fractions of a second. She starts an impressive 7th, her best grid position of the season.

Firestone Fast Six (bold Pole Winner!)

#12 Will Power
#3 Helio Castroneves
#9 Scott Dixon
#6 Ryan Briscoe
#10 Dario Franchitti
#8 E.J. Viso

Once again the battle was intense and unpredictable, as each of the final six could easily find the pace to come out on top, but when all was said and done, it was Will Power hoisting his 6th mountainous trophy this season, and setting himself up for a repeat of last year's success.

Tomorrow's race day schedule is as follows: (all times local)

Sun, July 17th
9:20am - 9:40am - Firestone Indy Lights Warm Up
10 am - 10:30am - IZOD IndyCar Warm Up
1pm - Firestone Indy Lights race (50 laps)
4pm - Honda Indy Toronto- Live on VERSUS (95 laps)

Quotes and photos to follow

Full results of the 1st qualifying session on Edmonton