Will Power has qualified in fourth position for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach after an improved performance in qualifying today in Long Beach, California.

Power will start the final race under the sanction of Champ Car as one of the cars to watch after improving his pace today in the #8 Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia DP01.

The Australian was third fastest in practice earlier today and then improved his best time from yesterday’s qualifying by over a second to get a vital grid spot on the first two rows for tomorrow’s standings start.

Power still sees room for improvement in the handling and set-up of his car but is confident that he will have a package capable of challenging for the win come race day.

Power actually set a similar time to his qualifying time, achieved on soft compound red tyres, in the pre-qualifying warm-up session using the harder compound black tyres, leading the Toowoomba-born driver to believe that there was still more potential in his car.

Justin Wilson will start tomorrow’s Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach from pole position after again topping qualifying today, ahead of Alex Tagliani and Franck Perera.

WHAT THE TEAM HAD TO SAY …

Will Power - #8 Aussie Vineyards - Team Australia DP01

“It was a bit disappointing today for KVRT Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia because I did the same time on blacks (Bridgestone primary tyre) in the warm-up as I did on reds (Bridgestone alternate tyre) in qualifying, so we didn’t quite have the balance,” said Power.

“We have had a bit of a down shift problem, which we need to fix for the race. Really, we didn’t need much more, unfortunately, on my best lap (Paul) Tracy spun and I had to avoid him so I lost a couple of tenths there.

“Overall fourth isn’t bad, I just felt I could do better, so I just need to look to the race tomorrow and try to win it.”

Craig Gore - Aussie Vineyards - Team Australia

“Today was a better showing from Will and the Aussie Vineyards crew and things are certainly heading in the right direction,” said Gore.

“The race will be very tough but Will showed today that he has the pace to run with anyone. He is a superb driver on street circuits and I can’t wait to see tomorrow’s race.

“It’s going to be a big day at Long Beach tomorrow for everyone involved in Champ Car and I hope that it’s Will and the #8 Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia car that takes the honour of the final Champ Car race winner tomorrow.”

RESULTS: Qualifying
1. #02 Justin Wilson 1:06.902
2. #15 Alex Tagliani 1:07.084
3. #34 Franck Perera 1:07.180
4. #8 Will Power 1:07.205
5. #3 Paul Tracy 1:07.352
6. #7 Franck Montagny 1:07.360
7. #4 Nelson Philippe 1:07.415
8. #36 Enrique Bernoldi 1:07.682
9. #06 Graham Rahal 1:07.703
10. #96 Mario Dominguez 1:07.745

2008 IndyCar Series Points Standings - After Race 2
1. #3 Helio Castroneves 72
2. #9 Scott Dixon 62
3. #11 Tony Kanaan 59
4. #26 Marco Andretti 53
5. #10 Dan Wheldon 53
6. #06 Graham Rahal 50
7. #7 Danica Patrick 48
8. #33 EJ Viso 45
9. #5 Oriol Servia 44
10. #20 Ed Carpenter 42
16. #8 Will Power 34

2008 Bombardier Rookie of the Year Standings - After Race 2
1. #06 Graham Rahal 50
2. #33 EJ Viso 45
3. #36 Enrique Bernoldi 42
4. #27 Hideki Mutoh 40
5. #02 Justin Wilson 37
6. #8 Will Power 34
7. #34 Franck Perera 28
8. #24 Jay Howard 28
9. #19 Mario Moraes 28