Dario on the up again

Franchitti had kept a low profile during Indy practice, working on race set-up while his Andretti Green Racing team-mates Dan Wheldon and Tony Kanaan concentrated on qualifying settings, but when it came down to it on pole day, only Wheldon and pole-setter Buddy Rice were quicker.

"The last time I was here in 2002, I qualified on the second week, at the back, so I'm definitely happier than I was then," he said. "It's pretty cool, I was very happy to get on the front row, happy with the run. Then I go home and start thinking we could have improved the car, and I could have got pole."

Franchitti missed the 2003 race because of a motorbike crash in which he broke his back. After an initial healing period he got back in the car at Pikes Peak and took a fine fourth place, but was then faced with a decision either to retire from racing or miss the rest of the season and have an operation on his back.

He chose the op, and to work on a comeback. "I always knew I'd be back," he said. "Last year was pretty tough, but being away, you come to realize how much you miss it."

Since his comeback at the beginning of the year, it's been clear that he's back to his best or near it, but the results haven't come yet. "I don't know if I have to prove anything to anybody," he said, "except I'm always wanting to show my team I'm doing a good job and prove to myself I'm doing a good job. I think we've been doing a pretty reasonable job all year."

Now his sights are set on a top result in the big one - the 500, which is scheduled for May 30.