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Dario Franchitti wins pole position for Long Beach Grand Prix

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Trying to bounce back from his miserable start to the season, Dario Franchitti won the pole position for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Franchitti, a four-time champion in the Izod IndyCar Series and winner of the Long Beach race in 2009, turned the quickest qualifying lap of 105.369 mph Saturday.

Ryan Hunter-Reay, the reigning champion and 2010 Long Beach winner, will start alongside Franchitti on Sunday after qualifying second at 105.282 mph in his car prepared by the Andretti Autosport team.

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“It’s been a tough start to the season,” said Franchitti, who drives for Target Chip Ganassi Racing. “It was nice to go out there and really have a great car and and get everything out of it.”

Franchitti (pronounced Fran-kee-tee) finished 25th in each of the season’s first two races and arrived in Long Beach in last place in the IndyCar point standings.

Australian Will Power, a Team Penske driver who’s the defending Long Beach winner, qualified third, and Japanese driver Takuma Sato was fourth.

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