Qualifying: Kanaan powers to pole

Kanaan, who was the last of the 18 drivers to run his qualifying laps, displaced compatriot Bruno Junquiera in the dying minutes, a reversal of qualifying at Motegi early in the season when it was Junqueira who bumped Kanaan from the top spot.

Kanaan's pole is the fourth of his CART career, and the 27-year-old is predicting a tough and competitive race.

"I'll probably be third or fourth by Turn 1," said Kanaan, "and then first again by Turn 4. This race is open for everyone and anyone can win. There will be a lot of passing as always."

Cristiano da Matta, already crowned champion and needing to win the final two races of the season to break the record for wins in a season, will start third alongside Michael Andretti.

Dario Franchitti will start ninth, while Max Papis, standing in for the injured Adrian Fernandez at the Mexican's team, qualified an impressive tenth.

Mario Dominguez, the shock winner last time out at Surfer's Paradise, was brought back down to earth by taking 17th place on the grid, with only Spaniard Oriol Servia behind him.