Kiwi Scott Dixon has narrowly missed out on pole position for next week's Indianapolis 500, pipped by American Marco Andretti in the dying stages of qualifying.
The pair were part of the 'Fast Nine', which determines the front three rows for the iconic race after, during an exciting Monday in Indianapn end to the infamous "Andretti Curse", which has plagued America's most historic motorsport family for decades.
An Andretti will lead off the Indy 500 for the first time in 33 years, after Marco's electrifying performance which saw him clock a four-lap average speed of 231.068 mph.
Marco was just an infant when his grandad Mario won his third and final Indianapolis pole in 1987.
Dixon, the 2008 winner and current IndyCar series leader was delighted for his rival, despite holding the pole for a majority of the nine-car shootout.
"He deserves it," says Dixon. "I know what this place means to his family and especially him.
"He did a good job even under this pressure to make it work. If anyone was going to do it, I hoped it was Marco."
Andretti, a third-generation driver, was greeted by team owner and father Michael on arrival back to his garage
"Fantastic. It was unbelievable," Michael Andretti said. "He didn't take his foot off the gas.''.
Mario Andretti scored the only Indy 500 win for the family in 1969; Michael fell short in 16 attepmts and on August 24, Marco will make his 15th appearance.
Alonso, making his third trip to Indy, was pleased to have secured a starting spot, after failing to qualify 12 months ago.
The Spaniard was in contention for a race win in his debut run in 2018, but 2019 was an embarrassing disaster for the two-time F1 champion, and he was happy to put that behind him.
"Did not have the speed, but happy with the run. Some interesting people around our position.
"Always very intense for four laps at Indy! Now one day less for the big one. Race car felt good."
Dixon, 40, is looking to extend his series lead with the Indy 500 offering double points in the 2020 championship drive.
Dixon is looking to win a sixth IndyCar championship.
