Castroneves on Motegi pole as qualifications rained out

UPDATE Weather forecasts call for generally improving conditions on race day, but a chance of rain remains.

Helio Castroneves

04/17/08 Helio Castroneves didn't have to do anything to earn the pole for the Indy Japan 300. That was taken care of during the first two IndyCar Series races of the season.

Castroneves will lead the field to the green flag on the 1.5-mile Twin Ring Motegi oval based on being the entrant points front-runner after qualifications for the PEAK Motor Oil Pole Award were rained out.

It's the third year in a row that he'll start from the pole in the No. 3 Team Penske Dallara/Honda/Firestone in the 200-lap race. Under similar weather circumstances in '06, Castroneves was awarded the pole based on entrant points. He led 184 laps en route to the 6.3-second victory over Dan Wheldon. See feature article on Home Page for more details.