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Dixon, Castroneves On Front Row In Detroit

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The Associated Press

Published: August 31, 2008

DETROIT - The battle for the IndyCar championship is won on the course, but Helio Castroneves is trying to influence the outcome off the track.

Castroneves, who enters today's Detroit Indy Grand Prix on Belle Isle 43 points behind driver points-leader Scott Dixon, has refined his strategy to include mind games with the New Zealander.

"I'm trying to do everything I can," said Castroneves, who will start on the front row with Dixon after turning in the second-fastest qualifying lap Saturday of 102.412 mph. "We're trying to get into his head.

"We're having fun with it. Every chance I get I say something to him."

The Team Penske driver hasn't wasted any opportunities. During Thursday's news conference, Castroneves turned to Dixon and asked: "Are you feeling the pressure, buddy?" Then, during Friday's post-practice news conference, he said to the Target Chip Ganassi driver: "How's the pressure?"

Dixon had at least four brushes with the walls during the two days of practice sessions. However, Dixon earned his sixth pole position of the season after recording a qualifying lap of 103.090.

"We can clinch it Sunday," said Dixon, who has won four times this year when starting from the pole.

"It would mean a lot. There is a lot of pressure going on at the moment. You want to get it done."

NHRA: At Clermont, Ind., Greg Stanfield and Karen Stoffer were in danger of falling out of the NHRA final playoff spots in the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at O'Reilly Raceway Park.

Larry Dixon (Top Fuel), Tony Pedregon (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana (Pro Stock Motorcycle) claimed the provisional No. 1 qualifying positions at the 18th and final regular-season race of the NHRA Series season.

Neither Stanfield (Pro Stock) nor Stoffer (Pro Stock Motorcycle) have successfully qualified for Monday's race, and if they don't get in during one of the final two qualifying rounds today, they may be bumped from the six-race Countdown to 1 NHRA Playoff.

Also, not yet qualified for Monday's race is Tony Schumacher, who can set NHRA Top Fuel records this weekend for consecutive wins (6) and wins in a season (11).

Keyword: Sports for results of Saturday's late Nationwide Series race from Fontana, Calif.

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