HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Helio Castroneves wants to play spoiler as the IndyCar Series celebrates a championship day today at Homestead-Miami Speedway. So far, the spoil’s on him.

Castroneves was zipping toward the second turn late in Friday’s afternoon practice session when something in the left rear of his Team Penske car broke, throwing him into the outside wall.

The impact was fierce, and he had to switch to a backup car to qualify for the Firestone Indy 300. He will start 11th in the 23-car field.

Fortunately, the three-time Indianapolis 500 winner was not injured, although he admitted to being slightly dazed by the hit.

“It was bad, (and) it took the wind out of me,” he said. “I hit my knee. I’m going to be sore (today), no question.”

Teammate Ryan Briscoe tried to distance himself from Castroneves’ pain. Specifically, he tried to imagine that it was an isolated failure rather than one that could plague his car as theoretically they’re equal.

“I was told it’s nothing I need to worry about on my car,” said Briscoe, who didn’t sound convinced. “I thought that was just to make me feel good going into qualifying.”

Briscoe qualified third. He aims for his first major driving title today in today’s race.

U.S.-born winner?

It seems difficult to believe, but if a U.S.-born driver doesn’t win today’s IndyCar race, it will be a first for the sport that spans nearly 100 years.

Ed Carpenter earned the highest starting spot in fourth with Graham Rahal sixth, Danica Patrick seventh and Marco Andretti eighth.

Carpenter came the closest to winning this season, beaten by Briscoe at the finish line at Kentucky Speedway by 0.0162 seconds. He thinks someone other than the three championship contenders can win today.

“I think a lot of people are hoping to see the three championship contenders duking it out three-wide in the end, but I don’t think that will be the case,” he said. “The best car is going to win, and truthfully I think we have a good shot at it.”

Rahal didn’t sound confident about winning after qualifying.

“We can kind of get one lap out of it, but then over the longer run it’s been really slow, number one,‘’ he said. "Then, number two, it’s hard for me to hold any type of line. It’s not going to make it fun for me."

Rahal, Patrick and Ryan Hunter-Reay won races last season. Andretti won one in 2006.

Etc.

Quote of the day, from Rahal on the three title contenders: “I think you certainly have to be respectful of those guys, but we’re not going to let them bully us around.” . . . J.R. Hildebrand put the finishing touch on an Indy Lights championship, but he lost the final race of the season Friday, by 0.0057 seconds to Mario Romancini . . . . The past three Indy Lights champions had good IndyCar days Friday. Alex Lloyd (2007) qualified fifth in his first race with Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing, Raphael Matos (2008) qualified ninth for Luczo Dragon Racing and Jay Howard (2006) was officially introduced as the second driver at Sarah Fisher Racing for 2010. Lloyd believes he is close to signing with N/H/L for a full-time ride next season. . . . Nelson Piquet Jr. , who was at the center of Renault’s Formula One controversy, was at Homestead to get a look at IndyCar. . . . There have been eight IndyCar races at this track, but only three winning drivers: Dan Wheldon and Sam Hornish Jr. won three each, Scott Dixon two.