9/18 :: Dixon gets the point

MOTEGI, Japan - It was an unusual spot for Mario Moraes, watching the monitor as one car after another attempted to knock him from the provisional pole for the Indy Japan 300. He shunned "what if" questions, suggesting it was bad luck to presume his first IndyCar Series pole start. Finally, the last of 23 cars rolled onto the 1.52-mile Twin Ring Motegi oval for the four-lap qualifying run as TV and still cameras surrounded Moraes on the hot seat. Click it: Starting lineup for the Indy Japan 300 Scott Dixon in the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing entry - the pole winner in the inaugural IndyCar Series races at the track in 2003 - posted a first lap of 202.010 mph and Moraes smiled. Lap 2 was 202.047 mph and Moraes shook his head. Lap 3 was 202.010 mph and Moraes grimaced, expecting the inevitable. Lap 4 was 202.036 mph and Moraes shrugged with the personal assurance he didn't leave anything on the track. "We have a really good car on ovals, and though it's a to...