MICHAEL MAROT
AP Sports Writer

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Ryan Hunter-Reay took the two toughest hits Friday in qualifying at Indianapolis.

First, he damaged his car, then he was stripped of his two fastest laps — costing him the pole position for Saturday’s inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis.

Now the 2012 IndyCar champion and his team must spend Friday night rebuilding the No. 17 car of Andretti Autosport.

It wasn’t a total loss. Hunter-Reay will start third for the third time in four races this season. He won the pole at Long Beach in the other race.

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