Motorsport: Dixon pipped for pole spot in Kansas

Australian driver Ryan Briscoe headed New Zealand's Scott Dixon for pole position for the first oval race of the IndyCar season today.

The Penske pilot finished comfortably ahead Dixon in the qualifying session, out-pacing Dixon by 0.4 seconds in their respective four-lap runs to claim his ninth career pole.

The run also ends Australian teammate Will Power's bid for a record-tying fourth consecutive pole.

"It felt great," the Sydneysider said.

"The car really ran well. We made some changes after practice and we were hoping to pick up a couple of tenths -- and we did.

"So it went to plan and was a picture perfect qualifying session for us."

Power, the championship leader, qualified seventh with the other Penske car, that of Helio Castroneves, finishing eighth.

Dan Wheldon qualified third but his time was disallowed after crossing a white boundary line at the bottom of the track during his run, meaning Dario Franchitti will start the race in the No 3 spot.

Wheldon's infringement sent him back to 25th on the starting grid.

The Kansas Speedway 300 starts at 6am tomorrow (NZT).

- AAP