Bruno Junqueira qualified first for the Motorola 220 despite hitting the wall on his final lap at Road America in Wisconsin.

He narrowly managed to pip Cart series Cristiano da Matta for pole in the closing moments of the 60-minute session.

Junqueira knocked Da Matta off the top spot just one minute from the end with a lap of 1:42.151 at 142.659 mph (229.538 kph).

As the chequered flag was waved to end qualifying for Sunday's 60-lap race on the 6.513km road course, both of the drivers were near the back of the track, pushing for a final quick plap.

But Junqueria swerved to avoid Shinji Nakano's car on the side of the track, spun, and hit a tyre barrier before stopping in the middle of the track.

Da Matta had to abort his final lap to prevent him crashing into the prone Team Target car of Junqueira.

It was Junquiera's second pole of the season and third of his career. He said his Toyota-powered Lola sustained only minor damage and would be ready for the race.

Alex Tagliani was third, followed by New Zealander Scott Dixon.

Qualifying results for Motorola 220:

1. (4) Bruno Junqueira, Toyota/Lola, 1:42.151, 229.538 kph (142.659 mph).
2. (6) Cristiano da Matta, Toyota/Lola, 1:42.640.
3. (33) Alex Tagliani, Ford-Cosworth/Reynard, 1:42.684.
4. (26) Paul Tracy, Honda/Lola, 1:42.927.
5. (44) Scott Dixon, Toyota/Lola, 1:42.983.
6. (27) Dario Franchitti, Honda/Lola, 1:42.990.
7. (12) Kenny Brack, Toyota/Lola, 1:43.001.
8. (51) Adrian Fernandez, Honda/Lola, 1:43.053.
9. (20) Oriol Servia, Toyota/Reynard, 1:43.118.
10. (52) Shinji Nakano, Honda/Lola, 1:43.195.
11. (11) Christian Fittipaldi, Toyota/Lola, 1:43.243.
12. (32) Patrick Carpentier, Ford-Cosworth/Reynard, 1:43.296.
13. (5) Tora Takagi, Toyota/Reynard, 1:43.394.
14. (39) Michael Andretti, Honda/Lola, 1:43.395.
15. (8) Jimmy Vasser, Ford-Cosworth/Lola, 1:43.980.
16. (9) Michel Jourdain Jr., Ford-Cosworth/Lola, 1:44.261.
17. (55) Mario Dominguez, Ford-Cosworth/Lola, 1:47.507.
18. (10) Tony Kanaan, Honda/Lola, no time.

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