Ganassi teammates on front row in Miami

Dario Franchitti

Dario Franchitti, 2nd in points to Will Power coming into the final IndyCar Series race of the season, did what he had to on Friday evening by winning the pole position for the Cafes do Brasil Indy 300 and getting the bonus point that goes with it to reduce Power's point lead to just 11. His Ganassi teammate Scott Dixon will start 2nd making it an all Target Chip Ganassi front row. Will Power will start 3rd just 0.1432s behind.

Ryan Briscoe and Dan Wheldon rounded out the top-5.

Franchitti won this race from pole last year in a race that ran caution free.

"They all add up," said Franchitti of his extra point. "We weren't the best in the morning, I didn't feel, and engineer Chris Simmons worked his magic and the balance was very, very good.

"To have Scott there with me is a big help. So we'll see what we can do tomorrow night. If we can make the same jump with the race car as we did with the qualifying car then we'll be in good shape."

Both Power and Franchitti have their eye on winning the championship first and foremost, and winning the race would just be icing on the cake.

The two will be racing for this new IndyCar Championship trophy tomorrow night

"I am racing for the championship," said Franchitti. "Driving for points doesn't work for me so winning the pole, leading the most laps and winning the race will be the way to win maximum points. If I can do that then I will have done everything I could."

Franchitti already has two IndyCar (including CART) titles under his belt, but Power is looking for his first championship so he will do what it takes to ensure the title first.

"If Dario falls out then I will go for the win because then the title will be mine," said Power. "But as long as Dario is still in the running I am going to play it smart and not take any unnecessary chances, taking calculated risks to be in position to score the points I need to win the title."

With the winner getting 10 more points than 2nd place, just winning the race is not going to be enough for Franchitti if Power manages to finish 2nd. Power would win by a single point so in that scenario Franchitti will also need the two bonus points for leading the most laps to take the title.

Be sure tune into Versus tomorrow night at 7 PM ET as this is sure to be a barnburner of a fight.

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