Will Power makes fast start to 2011

Will Power is looking to back up his 2010 St. Pete victory

Will Power has ended the first day of the 2011 Izod IndyCar Series on top of the time sheets.

The Penske Racing driver set a best time of 1:03.4s around the St. Petersburg street course during practice for Sunday’s Honda Grand Prix, to top his 2010 title rival Dario Franchitti by 0.1s.

There were 16 drivers within one second of Power’s No. 12 Verizon-backed car, including Mike Conway in the No. 27 Team Godaddy entry for Andretti Autosport. Conway, who was third (1:03.7), is making his first start since being injured in the Indianapolis 500 last May.

Ryan Briscoe (1:03.7), the 2009 race winner, was fourth overall and Scott Dixon (1:03.9) fifth. Two-time event winner Helio Castroneves (1:03.9) was sixth quick.

Marco Andretti, four-time Champ Car champion Sebastien Bourdais (making his IZOD IndyCar Series road/street debut with Dale Coyne Racing), Tony Kanaan (making his debut with KV Racing Technology-Lotus) and Danica Patrick (celebrating her 29th birthday) filled out the top 10.