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4-time Texas winner Castroneves expects much different race; Penske teammate Power on pole

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Will Power of Australia stands next to his car after qualifying for the pole position in the IndyCar auto racing at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp) (The Associated Press)

Will Power, of Australia, holds up the pole position helmet after posting the highest speed to take the pole position during qualifying for the IndyCar auto race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp) (The Associated Press)

IndyCar Series points leader Will Power will start on the pole at Texas for the second consecutive year.

Power had a two-lap average of 218.896 mph in qualifying Friday at the high-banked, high-speed 1 1/2-mile track for his 34th career pole.

Josef Newgarden qualified second for Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing at 217.835 mph. That was just ahead of Chip Ganassi Racing driver Tony Kanaan.

After starting first at Texas last year, Power finished seventh. He was a lap down behind Penske teammate Helio Castroneves, who won at the track for the fourth time.

Castroneves, coming off a win in the second Detroit race last week, starts 14th Saturday night after qualifying at 216.591 mph. He expects a tougher race this year after winning by nearly 5 seconds in 2013.