SPEEDWAY, Ind. (May 25, 2006) -- Indy Pro Series rookie Jonathan Klein will start ninth Friday in the Freedom 100, his first race at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  Klein posted an average speed of 182.691 mph in qualifying action today at the famed “Brickyard”, his fourth-consecutive top-10 qualifying run in as many events this year behind the wheel of the #27 Klein Tools/Turn-Key Forging and Design Dallara.

A graduate of the Star-Mazda racing series, Klein is currently eighth in the Pro Series standings after qualifying on the front row in two of the season’s first three races and scoring fifth-place finishes in both St. Petersburg events.

Jonathan Klein, #27 Klein Tools/Turn-Key Forging and Design Dallara/Firestone:
“It’s not quite the qualifying position we would like, there just wasn’t any more speed in the car today.  The good news is that the balance is excellent, and we’re still starting from the top 10.  I think the key to the race tomorrow will be to stay out of trouble.  This is a bigger than normal field for the Pro Series and it is full of young, hungry guys.  Our goal will be for a clean race, and to steadily pick up positions as the laps count off.”