Defending IndyCar champ Ryan Hunter-Reay ready to "go for broke" as he grabs pole at Mid-Ohio

LEXINGTON, Ohio – Defending IndyCar Series champion Ryan Hunter-Reay knows it's time to make inroads on points leader Helio Castroneves.

Hunter-Reay put himself in perfect position to do it this weekend at Mid-Ohio. Hunter-Reay captured the pole for Sunday's Indy 200, turning the second-fastest lap in track history to edge Will Power for the top spot. It will be the third time this season and the fourth time in his career that Hunter-Reay will start from the front.

Scott Dixon, who has won three straight races to move into second in the points race, will start third. Marco Andretti qualified fourth, followed by Charlie Kimball and Dario Franchitti.

Castroneves will start 15th. The Brazilian leads Dixon by 24 points and Hunter-Reay by 69 as he searches for his first series title.