Spies pledges to enjoy first pole

Just one day after it was announced that Spies would be drafted into Yamaha's factory MotoGP team next year, the American claimed his first series pole on home ground after a tough battle with likely 2011 team-mate Jorge Lorenzo and compatriot Nicky Hayden.

"We can't get ahead of ourselves now, but to be on pole and take the first pole in front of the American crowd here in Indy with all the history is great," said Spies.

"It's kind of a monkey off my back and I feel a bit more comfortable for the rest of the year.

"We put it on the line on that last run and got it. To have two Americans on the front row here is pretty incredible. I wouldn't have thought it coming into the weekend, but we were able to do it."

He admitted he was pleased to have been able to take a pole for Tech 3 before moving up to Yamaha's primary team.

"I'm trying to give as much as I can to [Tech 3], because they've helped catapult me into that position," Spies said.

The reigning World Superbike champion added that he would do his utmost to stay at the front in the race.

"Now we'll just get a good start and give it everything we've got on Sunday and see what we can do," said Spies. "But I'll enjoy the day right now."