Helio Castroneves will start on the pole for the third consecutive race, and second year in a row at California Speedway.

The two-time Indianapolis 500 champion turned in a lap at 217.47 mph yesterday in qualifying for the Toyota 400.

Scott Dixon will start in the No. 2 spot in the Indy Race League event today after logging a lap of 216.30 mph.

Two-time defending champion Sam Hornish was third fastest, with a lap of 216.06.

Darren Manning escaped serious injury when his car spun out and rammed into a SAFER barrier in the second turn during his second qualifying lap.

Local driver 4th

Reed Sorenson said his runner-up run to Blake Feese in yesterday's Food World 300 ARCA race at Talladega Superspeedway was a little frustrating because of the eight caution periods that slowed the race to a pokey 114.084 miles per hour average. But it was educational.

Feese, who drives a car prepared by Hendrick Motorsports, said he and Sorenson worked together in the draft for most of the race. Then he spent the final segment worrying about whether Sorenson would pass him.

Denny Hamlin finished third, ahead of Ryan Hemphill, of Apollo, and Brent Sherman.

Force, Anderson set records

John Force had the fastest pass in Funny Car history, a 4.697-second run at a top speed of 325.30 mph in the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill.

Force, the Funny Car leader seeking his 13th career NHRA season title, needs at least a 4.744-second pass to set the national record and earn a 20-point bonus.

Minority group cancels protest

The National Association for Minority Race Fans canceled a protest planned for today's EA Sports 500 NASCAR race after track officials and police expressed concerns about security. Instead of protesting, the organization's leaders will hold a news conference at 11 a.m. on the grounds of the state-owned International Motor Sports Hall of Fame adjacent to Talladega Superspeedway.