Franchitti wins IndyCar pole in Milwaukee

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MILWAUKEE, June 15 (UPI) -- Dario Franchitti had a two-lap average of 168.737 mph Friday to win the pole for the Milwaukee IndyFest.

Franchitti, four-time winner the IndyCar series, captured the 27th pole of his career. That put him in a tie with Al Unser for seventh place on the all-time list.

"I'm very pleased and am surprised, actually," Franchitti said. "That was quite a turnaround from practice."

Franchitti won the Milwaukee race from the pole last year.

Justin Wilson had the second-fastest qualifying time, but he was one of seven drivers who made an unapproved engine change and received a 10-spot penalty on the starting grid.

Will Power and Scott Dixon, who are 1-2 in the points race, received the same penalty.

Ryan Hunter-Reay will start alongside Franchitti on the first row for Saturday's race, followed by Rubens Barrichello and Helio Castroneves.