ESPN News Services 6y

For first time in five years, Marco Andretti to start from pole

AutoRacing, IndyCar

Marco Andretti has won his first IndyCar pole since 2013 and will start from the front at Detroit's Belle Isle.

Andretti won his fifth career pole and was eyeing a chance to win Saturday afternoon's race on the 2.35-mile street course. He has won twice in this series, most recently in 2011.

"I'm definitely embarrassed to say that this is my first [road/street pole], but I've been outside pole so many times on road and street courses," Andretti said. "Extremely pleased to execute today. I think yesterday I knew we had the speed ... so I knew we had it in the car. All I had to do was execute, and I was able to do that instead of just talking, 'Oh we would have been first.' Now we are."

Scott Dixon qualified second, followed by rookie Robert Wickens. Indianapolis 500 champion Will Power will start sixth.

Honda engines took eight of the top nine spots in qualifying, with Power as the only Chevrolet driver in that group.

Andretti hasn't started higher than seventh this season, and his highest finish was sixth at Long Beach.

"Starting first is awesome, but I definitely want to win the race," Andretti said. "We have a great shot at doing that today. As soon as I knew we won pole, the switch in my brain flipped to win."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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