But Universal wants its franchise to be perceived as a major summer tent pole series.

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

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Patrick won a pole last year at Daytona in the Nationwide Series, NASCAR's second division.

CNN: February 18, 2013 -- Updated 1912 GMT (0312 HKT)

Ed Carpenter -- the stepson of Tony George, the founder of the IndyCar racing series -- sat in the advantageous pole position at the front of the field at the start of the race.

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