- Associated Press - Friday, May 18, 2012

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Josef Newgarden, Bryan Clauson and Marco Andretti are all young Americans who have been near the top of Indianapolis 500 speed charts this week.

Helio Castroneves, Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti are front-row regulars who have endured the pressure of chasing Indy’s pole.

But heading into Saturday’s qualifying, it’s a wide-open race.

Chevrolet still appears to have the edge after its drivers took the top five spots on Fast Friday — the first practice drivers could use an extra power boost.

But veterans such as Dixon and Castroneves have steadily climbed the speed charts over the last two days, and both former pole winners are familiar with Indy’s unique qualifying format.

Drivers with the top nine four-lap averages Saturday will advance to a 90-minute shootout. The winner gets the pole.

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