Full Throttle

GLADEVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The weather kept Danica Patrick from making another piece of history.

A rain shower Friday afternoon washed out qualifying at the Nashville Superspeedway. With the threat of more scattered thunderstorms, Indy Racing League officials set the lineup for Saturday night’s Firestone Indy 200 based on the combined practice times.

That put Tomas Scheckter on the pole for the third time this season and denied Patrick a chance at becoming the first woman to win consecutive poles. The rookie will start second after being the only other driver to top 203 mph in practice.

Tomas Scheckter: “I was extremely happy about this pole. It’s a tough track to get on pole. We were quickest in the first session, and we were pretty quick in the second session as well. We think we had a good chance no matter what if they qualified the cars or not,” Sheckter said.

“But for some reason just this track, knowing how difficult it is, it’s good to walk away with the pole.”

Danica Patrick: “I would’ve liked qualifying because I think we have a fast enough car to sit on the pole, but nevertheless, you never know what can happen in qualifying, so front row is always good,” Patrick said.

Buddy Lazier will start third in the only other Chevrolet-powered Dallara. Dario Franchitti will start fourth followed by series points leader Dan Wheldon.