Franchitti scores pole for standing start race one in Toronto

Dario Franchitti was all smiles when he climbed from his car after tearing around the street circuit at Exhibition Place in Toronto with a time of 59.6756 seconds.

"It feels good to get our third pole of the year," said Franchitti.

"I made it difficult this morning. I made a mistake in Turn 5, took the right side off the car. The guys had to work and repair the car."

Bourdais brought his car out during his qualifying group and sent his car to second overall, giving the Dragon Racing team a great result heading into the first of two races this weekend.

"We finally got a break, and the car is heading in the right direction," said Bourdais.

Dario Franchitti, Target Chip Ganassi Racing Honda celebrates

Photo by: Rebecca McKay

"We made a lot of changes this morning in the one-and-a-half hour session that we had. I'm pretty hopeful. We starting to understand what this car needs on the new tires, which is something we haven't had since the start of the season."

This race marks the first time that the IndyCar series has ever started a race from a standing start. The idea was implemented this year as a way to spur on interest in the sport, along with the triple crown, and double header races.

Franchitti says he is happy to be in front of the field come the green flag.

"For most people in the field, it's been such a long time since we did standing starts, and with this hand clutch and everything it's going to be a complete unknown tomorrow," said Franchitti.

"In some ways (it's) good, it mixes things up a little bit. It's better to be in the front than in the middle of it."