Ambrose beats Villeneuve for pole in Montreal

Marcos Ambrose and Quebec native Jacques Villeneuve played their own version of “Can you top this" Saturday afternoon, but Ambrose had the last word.

Twice after Villeneuve knocked Ambrose out of the top qualifying spot for Sunday’s Nationwide Series NAPA Auto Parts 200 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Ambrose responded with a faster lap and ultimately won the pole for the race that has eluded him for three years.

In a unique qualifying session that saw multiple cars on the road course at the same time, Ambrose posted the fastest lap of the session – at 97.079 mph – on the third of his three circuits to edge the former Formula One champion, who toured the 2.709-mile road course at 96.924 mph. Joey Logano qualified third, followed by Carl Edwards, last year’s race winner, Boris Said and Jason Leffler.

Each of the top six drivers broke the previous track qualifying record set by Patrick Carpentier in 2007.

To Ambrose, beating Villeneuve was especially sweet.

“Ever since I knew what racing was, I saw him come through the ranks," Ambrose said. “The Indy 500 win he had … and, of course, the crossover to F1, I watched him with envy, wishing I could be him.

“Today, I think he wishes he could be me."

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