INDY RACING LEAGUE: DIXON GETS FIRST POLE OF SEASON.

Byline: TIM HADDOCK Staff Writer

SONOMA -- Scott Dixon knows how to pick his spots.

Dixon won his first pole of the season Saturday at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma and kept his outside chances of capturing the Indy Racing League championship alive.

But Dixon said he knows he probably has to win the race to have any shot at the championship. Dixon is fourth in points, 33 behind series leader Sam Hornish Jr., with two races to go.

Hornish, who has a history of poor finishes on road courses, will start 10th in today's Grand Prix of Sonoma, where track position is a premium on what is considered the toughest course on the IRL to make passes.

``I'd be worried,'' Dixon said about Hornish having to start so far back in the field.

Hornish's best start on a road or street course this year was fourth at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. He finished eighth in that race. At the road course event at Watkins Glen International in New York, Hornish started sixth and finished 12th.

Dixon said Hornish is in a position to have to take chances early in the Sonoma race to make up track position. He will have to hope for an early caution period, stay out to make up some ground and take an alternate pit strategy to maintain his position.

``They haven't got too much to lose,'' Dixon said.

Except maybe the series lead in points.

Dixon said he doesn't expect much of a challenge from Hornish. He does, however, expect Hornish's Marlboro Team Penske teammate Helio Castroneves to be a contender.

Castroneves, second in points and seven behind Hornish, qualified third for the Grand Prix of Sonoma and is a proven road-course winner. He won the Grand Prix of St.Petersburg and was on the pole for the race at WatkinsGlen.

``At the moment, I feel we're racing Helio,'' Dixon said. ``This weekend, we've been trying to put as much pressure on both Penske cars. So far, we've done what we've needed to do.''

Rookie Marco Andretti, driver for Andretti Green Racing, qualified second and will start on the outside of the front row.

````We're where we need to be,'' Andretti said. ``This place is about track position and fortunately we have that now. We just have to keep it.''

Andretti was one of three Andretti Green Racing drivers among the top six in qualifying. Tony Kanaan, who won the Grand Prix of Sonoma last year, will start fourth and Dario Franchitti will start fifth.

Valencia's Bryan Herta, another driver for Andretti Green Racing, will start ninth, on the same row with Hornish.

If Dixon can win the Grand Prix of Sonoma, he will eliminate Vitor Meira and Kanaan from championship contention, and it will become a four-driver, two-team battle for the championship.

Dixon and his Team Target teammate Dan Wheldon will still be alive for the IRL title. Hornish and Castroneves will also be in contention.

Dixon has won six poles in his career. He has also won tworoad course events since the IRL started racing at Watkins Glen and Infineon Raceway two years ago.

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IRL driver Scott Dixon navigates turn nine during his qualifying lap Saturday at Sonoma.

Ben Margot/Associated Press