The pole victory was Briscoe's third of the season and the fourth of his IndyCar career.

"What a way to try to finish up this season," Briscoe said. "It's nice to win a pole on an oval. The car was great right off the track this weekend. We just have to try to keep Dixon behind us."

Dixon captured the outside pole after posting a time of 1:41.5435.

Danica Patrick (1:41.5456) and Tony Kanaan (1:41.6307) will make up row two.

Helio Castroneves will have to start from the rear of the 28-car field after his qualifying attempt was disallowed. IRL chief steward Brian Barnhardt disqualified Castroneves after he ran below the white line "numerous times" during his four laps. Castroneves completed his qualifying in 1:41.6288, which would have been good enough for a fourth starting position.

Last week, Castroneves led a race-high 53 laps at The Raceway at Belle Isle in Detroit, but had to give up the lead to Justin Wilson when he was penalized for blocking with less than 20 laps to go. Wilson picked up his first IndyCar victory, while Castroneves finishing second.

Just 30 points separate Dixon from Castroneves heading into the season-finale at Chicagoland. If Dixon finishes eighth or better at Chicagoland, he will clinch the title, regardless of Castroneves' performance.

The last two series championships have been decided at Chicagoland.

Last year, Dario Franchitti held just a three-point lead over Dixon entering the season-ending race. The two battled all the way to the final lap with Franchitti taking the checkered flag and the title. Dixon held the lead on the last lap, but Franchitti passed Dixon, who suddenly slowed when he ran out of fuel. Dixon managed to coast to second place.

In 2006, Castroneves came to Chicagoland with only a one-point lead over Sam Hornish, Jr. but finished fourth and lost out on the title by two points. Hornish finished one position ahead of him in third.

Castroneves has yet to win an IndyCar title.

The green flag is scheduled to drop on Sunday around 3:30 p.m. (et).