Team Australia driver Will Power has secured a ninth row starting spot for tomorrow’s Road Runner Turbo Indy 300 after qualifying at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas today.

The Queenslander posted the 18th fastest time on his four-lap qualifying run with an average speed of 210.091mph (338.109km/h) on the 1.5-mile D-shaped oval in the #8 Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia Honda/Dallara/Firestone entry.

Power described his car as solid, stable and consistent and is looking for a steady run in tomorrow’s 200-lap race after failing to finish the opening oval event of the season in Homestead.

Power’s average time over his four qualifying laps ensured he was the second quickest of the ‘transitional’ drivers, marginally behind 17th fastest qualifier EJ Viso.

Power, who won at Long Beach last weekend, enters tomorrow’s race fifth in the standings with 87 points and is leading the Bombardier Learjet Rookie of the Year award standings by 13 points.

Earlier in the day Power was 20th and 16th in the two practice sessions held at Kansas Speedway for this weekend’s 27-car field.

Scott Dixon secured the Peak Motor Oil Pole ahead of team-mate Dan Wheldon and Motegi winner Danica Patrick. Tomorrow’s race begins at 4:00pm local time (5:00pm US Eastern - 7:00am AEST).

WHAT THE TEAM HAD TO SAY …

Will Power - #8 Aussie Vineyards - Team Australia Honda/Dallara/Firestone

“It was a good run,” said Power.

“I was flat all the way round the track, so I didn’t have to do much work.

“The KVRT Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia team has really improved the car. It is much better than in Homestead. Also, I am starting to understand a little bit more of what I need to do to make the car that little bit quicker.

“The team have made a little bit of a jump which is good, we have closed that gap a little bit and we have still got some more to changes to come for the Indy 500, so I was happy.”

Craig Gore - Aussie Vineyards - Team Australia

“Will’s done a solid job in qualifying and it’s a positive sign for the race tomorrow,” said Gore.

“Will and the Aussie Vineyards car have taken a step forward since the first oval of the season at Homestead and I’m sure we will all learn a lot more with a solid run in tomorrow’s race.

“Kansas is a great venue and it should turn on a very exciting race, but for our team we are really concentrating on getting up to speed on the ovals and learning as much as we can before the month of May begins at Indy.”

RESULTS: Peak Motor Oil Pole Qualifying
1. #9 Scott Dixon 1:42.3014
2. #10 Dan Wheldon 1:42.4521
3. #7 Danica Patrick 1:42.6519
4. #12 Tomas Scheckter 1:42.8753
5. #2 AJ Foyt IV 1:43.0132
6. #20 Ed Carpenter 1:43.0503
7. #25 Marty Roth 1:43.1568
8. #3 Helio Castroneves 1:43.2072
9. #6 Ryan Briscoe 1:43.2556
10. #4 Vitor Meira 1:43.3219
18. #8 Will Power 1:44.1833
NB: Times are four-lap qualifying runs.

2008 IndyCar Series Points Standings - After Race 3
1. #3 Helio Castroneves 112
2. #9 Scott Dixon 100
3. #7 Danica Patrick 98
4. #11 Tony Kanaan 89
5. #8 Will Power 87
6. #10 Dan Wheldon 85
7. #36 Enrique Bernoldi 74
8. #5 Oriol Servia 74
9. #06 Graham Rahal 70
10. #20 Ed Carpenter 70

2008 Bombardier Rookie of the Year Standings - After Race 3
1. #8 Will Power 87
2. #36 Enrique Bernoldi 74
3. #06 Graham Rahal 70
4. #33 EJ Viso 67
5. #27 Hideki Mutoh 59
6. #34 Franck Perera 56
7. #02 Justin Wilson 49
8. #24 Jay Howard 45
9. #19 Mario Moraes 40