For the first time in his NASCAR Nationwide Series career, Alex Tagliani will start on the pole after winning the pole Friday for Saturday’s Napa Auto Parts 200 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
Tagliani, who went out in the seventh out of eight groups of drivers in the session, won the pole with a lap of 96.688 mph around the 2.71-mile road course.
This is the second Nationwide Series start for the former Indianapolis 500 pole sitter, who finished second behind Marcos Ambrose driving for Penske Racing, will make his first start for Tuner Motorsports in the No.30 Chevrolet.
Sam Hornish Jr. topped the list of Nationwide Series regulars in the session, putting his Penske Racing Dodge in the second position one spot ahead of the driver of the No.22 this weekend, Jacques Villeneuve.
Danica Patrick, Owen Kelly (who subbed in the No.54 for Kyle Busch who will make the trip to Montreal from Michigan), Michael McDowell, Cole Whitt, Ron Fellows, Billy Johnson, Brian Scott round out the top-10 starters for Saturday’s event at the famous road course.
One driver failed to make the starting field. Randy Ellis’ lap at 90.309 mph wasn’t quick enough to make the 43-car starting field.
NAPA Auto Parts 200 Starting Lineup:
1: Alex Tagliani
2: Sam Hornish Jr.
3: Jacques Villeneuve
4: Danica Patrick
5: Owen Kelly (Subbed for Kyle Busch)
6: Michael McDowell
7: Cole Whitt
8: Ron Fellows
9: Billy Johnson
10: Brian Scott
11: Brendan Gaughan
12: Andrew Ranger
13: Patrick Carpentier
14: Eric Curran
15: Justin Allgaier
16: Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
17: Elliott Sadler
18: Jason Bowles
19: Austin Dillon
20: Alex Kennedy
21: Brad Sweet
22: Mike Wallace
23: Mike Bliss
24: Chris Cook
25: Jeff Green
26: Jeremy Clements
27: Kyle Kelley
28: Kenny Habul
29: Timmy Hill
30: Blake Koch
31: Daryl Harr
32: Tayler Malsam
33: Michael Annett
34: Erik Darnell
35: Louis-Phillipe Dumoulin
36: Tim Andrews
37: John Young
38: Dexter Stacey
39: Tony Raines
40: Chase Miller
41: Eric McClure
42: Derek White
43: Matt DiBenedetto
