Qualifying: Fisher makes history

The 21-year-old lapped the oval at an average of 221.390mph to shatter the previous mark set by Scot Goodyear in 2000. Billy Boat was the only other driver to top 221 and will line up second.

"All I can say, is I got beat by the girl the least!" he joked.

Felipe Giaffone was third quickest, and the best of the Chevrolet-powered cars, just ahead of fellow Brazilian Helio Castroneves. Reigning champion Sam Hornish Jr will start fifth and is confident of challenging for the win.

"Everybody else is saying how slippery it was, but we actually put a little too much downforce on the car, and we probably could have been a little bit faster," he said. "You might see a little bit of slipping and sliding depending on how much temperature there is tomorrow. I definitely think it's going to be the handling car, not the horsepower car that wins tomorrow."

Buddy Rice was the quickest of the three Cheever cars in sixth, one place ahead of his team boss. Tomas Scheckter, who took his first IRL win last time out, was back in 17th.