Indy-Style Driver Kanaan Wins Pole for Indianapolis 500

Topics:  Tony Kanaan, Indianapolis 500

VOA Sports
May 16, 2005

Indy-style driver Tony Kanaan of Brazil has won the pole for the Indianapolis 500 on May 29. Kanaan was the runner-up last year in the most famous U.S. auto race.

The Brazilian was the third qualifier to drive the historic four-kilometer oval Sunday. He posted a four-lap, 16-kilometer qualifying time of two minutes, 38.1961 seconds. Kanaan then had to wait nearly six hours while other drivers tried to overtake him.

Several drivers took advantage of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's new qualifying rules that allow up to three chances to qualify on each day of time trials to try to beat Kanaan's speed.

Two-time Indy Racing League champion Sam Hornish Jr., qualified second. Scott Sharp, a former pole winner, wound up third.

Some information for this report provided by AP.