Veteran Ed Carpenter posted a lap of 217.933 mph to seize pole position for Saturday's Indy 300 at Kentucky Speedway.

The pole is a career first for Carpenter, who last month signed a three-race deal to drive for Panter Racing last month.

IndyCar Series points leader Will Power of Australia, coming off a disappointing 16th-place finish in Chicago last week, will start second at the 1.5-mile oval.

Defending series champion Dario Franchitti of Scotland, who trails Power by 23 points with three races remaining, qualified 11th.

In Chicago, Power let a chance to pick up his first career win on an oval slip away when a late pit stop gaffe left him short on fuel.

He was forced to pit with a couple of laps remaining, allowing Franchitti to pull away for the win.