Ben Spies takes pole at Red Bull Indy GP

American Ben Spies earned his first MotoGP pole position at the second American host of the season Saturday.

After qualifying fifth at Laguna Seca in July, Spies edged MotoGP Championship points leader Jorge Lorenzo of Spain by .22 seconds for a time of 1:40.105. Another American made the front row as Nicky Hayden qualified with a time of 1:40.336, just .011 seconds behind Lorenzo.

Italian Valentino Rossi, fifth in the MotoGP points race, qualified seventh after a crash during a practice and another crash during his qualifying run.

One other American, Colin Edwards, qualified ninth with a time of 1:41.232.

The 28-lap Red Bull Indianapolis GP starts Sunday at 3 p.m.