Montoya takes Brickyard pole

Colombian edges out Johnson at Indianapolis

Last updated: 25th July 2010  

Montoya takes Brickyard pole

Montoya: Good lap

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Juan Pablo Montoya claimed pole position for Sunday's Brickyard 400 after edging out defending NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The Colombian lapped the 2.5-mile oval at an average speed of 182.278 mph (49.375 seconds) to take his second pole of the season and the fourth of his career.

Three-time Brickyard winner Johnson averaged 182.142 mph while Mark Martin qualified third at 181.803 mph despite a late draw on a racing surface that grew hotter as the session progressed.

"It was a good lap," said Montoya, who could have won last year's race but for a penalty he picked up for speeding on pit road. "I think in (turn) two, I got a little bit tight and had to brake a little bit coming off, but I don't think it was a major deal. ... Everywhere else was pretty good.

"We came here and (tyre) tested, and when we got off the truck, it was good; put it in the truck, it was good-brought it here, it was good. So I've just got to make sure to do everything right (Sunday) and see what happens."

Johnson said he was intent on avoiding the sorts of mistakes he had made during Friday's practice.

"I was really proud of what I did, because yesterday I continued to make mistakes," Johnson said. "I was getting three of the four corners right and couldn't get all four right. So I made sure today that I did my job-and maybe left a little bit on the table, because I wanted to be very line-specific and not make a mistake."

Jamie McMurray (181.748 mph) starts fourth ahead of Ryan Newman (181.741 mph) and Clint Bowyer (181.517 mph).

Greg Biffle, the only non-Chevrolet driver in the top 10, put his No. 16 Ford seventh on the grid with a lap at 181.353 mph. Jeff Gordon, Cup points leader Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton completed the top 10.

Elsewhere, former F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve earned the final starting spot among those required to qualify on speed. He, Montoya and Sam Hornish Jr. (who starts 25th) are all former winners of the Indianapolis 500.

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