LONG POND, Pa. - What a homecoming for the Andrettis. Andretti Autosport made it a 1-2-3 start — with local star Marco Andretti leading the way — to create quite a splash as the IndyCar Series returned to Pocono Raceway for the first time since 1989. IndyCar is using three-wide starts at Pocono, making it an all-Andretti front row on a track not far from where one of racings greatest families has lived for decades. Andretti didnt just win the pole, he smashed the track record. His two-lap average speed of 221.273 mph was fast enough for the pole Saturday and knocked Emerson Fittipaldis speed of 211.715 in 1989 out of the top spot. Pocono is considered a hometown track for the Andrettis, who hail from nearby Nazareth. Now, the local kid is going to lead the field to green for the 400-mile race. Marcos father, Michael, owns the team. His grandfather, Mario, was one of racings greatest drivers and is still a fixture at the track. It might be time for a big family celebration at Lake Wallenpaupack. But dont forget to bring the teammates. Ryan Hunter-Reay starts second and James Hinchcliffe is third to help Andretti Autosport sweep the front row. "We have been making statement after statement, so its a good feeling," Marco said. Andretti won his second pole of the season. Michael Andretti won the Pocono pole in 1986 and Mario won the 1987 pole. Andretti was not yet 3 years old when three Andrettis — Michael, Mario and John — all competed in the last Pocono race. Andretti said he was excited to have the chance to drive in front of friends, family, maybe even most of the town will be packed into the grandstands. "Ive taken a huge liking to this place, as soon as I rolled off here in the initial test," Andretti said. "I really think the IndyCars are built for this track. This became my favourite track. I love Indianapolis. But the way this place races, its so challenging." Will Power starts fourth and Tony Kanaan fifth on the 2 1/2-mile tri-oval. Points leader Helio Castroneves starts sixth. Kanaan, the Indianapolis 500 winner, needs wins at Pocono and Fontana, Calif., to win the Triple Crown and a $1 million payout. "I think the Andretti guys were strong through the entire season," Kanaan said. "If you look at the Indy 500 effort, I wasnt expecting anything less. I dont think I had it for him for the pole. But this race is a 400-mile race. I dont think you can pick a favourite yet." Its hard to bet against Andretti, who topped both practice sessions Thursday and has his eye on the winners circle. The last time a team swept a three-car front row in an IndyCar event was the 1988 Indianapolis 500, with Penske Racings Rick Mears, Danny Sullivan and Al Unser. "It does help. Theres co-operation there," Hunter-Reay said. "Its like, Go ahead, after you. No, after you. But thats only for the first lap. After that, we get going." Andretti driver E.J. Viso was in position to qualify fourth until he slammed into the wall. He walked away from the accident. Alex Tagliani also was unhurt after his car tagged the wall. The return to Pocono is being celebrated as a nod to IndyCars history and tradition. Poconos three corners were designed in 1965 to model corners at Indianapolis, Milwaukee and now-defunct Trenton, and fans have always considered the track an important venue in open wheel racing. With Pocono back on the schedule, IndyCar resurrected the "Triple Crown" challenge, a three-race competition in 2013 for $1 million to the driver that wins the Indianapolis 500, the 400-miler at Pocono and the season finale at Fontana. A driver who wins two of the three can win a $250,000 bonus from promotion sponsor Fuzzys Vodka. IndyCar ran a "Triple Crown" at Indianapolis, Pocono and Ontario from 1971-1980 and from 1981-1989 at Indy, Pocono and Michigan. Only Unser won all three races in a single season, in 1978. Kanaan is the only driver eligible to win $1 million dollars after his breakthrough race at Indy. He knows sweeping the three races wont be easy. "My boss tells me, all the time, thats why I get paid the big bucks," Kanaan said. Pocono CEO and president Brandon Igdalsky said after qualifying that ticket sales were solid for the holiday weekend race and there was a strong turnout of fans who dont attend the tracks two NASCAR Sprint Cup races. "I was extremely impressed with the amount of people that came to watch us today," Kanaan said. "Ive always heard good things about this place and Im excited about it." Pittsburgh Penguins Stanley Cup Jerseys . Schenn scored the game-winning goal and added two assists to lead the Philadelphia Flyers to a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Tuesday. Cheap Adidas Penguins Jerseys .1 million pounds ($61.2 million) on Saturday, giving the beleaguered English Premier League champions a major lift. http://www.cheappenguinsjerseys.us/ . Louis Blues absence from top spot in the TSN. Wholesale Penguins Jerseys . Barcelonas entertaining victory ensured the defending Spanish champions retained their share of the league lead with Atletico Madrid two rounds ahead of their meeting in the capital. Real Madrid needed a late goal by substitute Jese Rodriguez to earn a 3-2 victory at Valencia to stay in third place and three points behind its title rivals. Womens Penguins Stanley Cup Jerseys . -- Kyrie Irvings last-minute 3-pointer helped seal another victory for Cleveland -- and the Cavaliers longest winning streak since LeBron James left.ATLANTA -- Kris Medlen issued a blanket apology to every coach hes ever had. At least he could laugh about an inexplicable defensive blunder. Medlen shook off a Little League-like mistake with seven strong innings, Chris Johnson hit a three-run homer and the Atlanta Braves bounced back from a doubleheader sweep, beating the New York Mets 5-3 Wednesday night. Johnson went deep in the fourth for his first homer since May 13. Jordan Schafer put the Braves ahead to stay with some gutsy baserunning in the fifth, scoring on a wild pitch that didnt even roll off the dirt around home plate. Atlanta evened the five-game series after losing twice on Tuesday. Medlen (4-7) was still trying to figure out what he was thinking in the top half of the fifth. With a 3-0 lead thanks to Johnson, two runners aboard and no outs, the right-hander got just what he wanted -- a grounder right back to the mound. An easy double play, right? Not so fast. For some reason, Medlen whirled and threw to third -- apparently thinking triple play -- but the ball skipped past the bag and rolled toward left field. Instead of getting two outs, both runners came around to score. "It was like I blacked out, and when I woke up, the ball was in left field," Medlen said. "Its one of those plays that as youre making it, youre like, What the hell are you doing?" Manager Fredi Gonzalez wondered the same thing as he watched the play unfold. "I hope no kids were watching that," he said. "Ive never seen that before. Maybe in 10-and-under baseball, but I dont think Ive seen that play -- ever. Believe me, we dont practice that." Medlen bounced back from the miscue, giving up six hits and only one earned run, while striking out seven. He didnt walk anyone and even picked up the first stolen base of his career in the sixth. He had the bag in his locker after the game, a souvenir to help him forget that other play. Maybe. "We won, so Im happy," he said. "But it feels like we lost." Shaun Marcum (0-9) knows what that feels like. He became just the third pitcher in Mets history to start a season dropping nine straight decisions. "Balls are not falling his way. We havent given him run support, either," catcher John Buck said. "Its just not going real well for him. When Im back there, I feel like were in control of everything. Its always just one mistake or that one inning that seems to bite him." The Braves scored first with two outs in the fourth. B.J. Upton and Dan Uggla hit back-to-back singles, and then Marcum left a 2-0 pitch over the plate to Johnson. He drove it into the left-field seats, slapping hands emphatically with first-baase coach Terry Pendleton on his way around the bases.dddddddddddd "It felt good. Not just the homer, but hitting it with guys on base," Johnson said. "I like to drive guys in." Medlen gave the runs right back in the fifth. Marlon Byrd led off with a single and Lucas Duda was plunked, putting two runners aboard to set up the baffling throw to third. Kirk Nieuwenhuis followed with a bloop single just inside the right-field line to bring home Buck with the tying run. "I deserved that," Medlen said. The Braves quickly reclaimed the lead in the bottom half of the inning. Schafer led off with a double and advanced on Andrelton Simmons sacrifice before Freddie Freeman walked. It looked as if Marcum might escape the jam when he struck out Justin Upton. But a pitch to Brian McCann bounced off Bucks chest protector, rolling off to the catchers right. Schafer was nearly halfway down the line already -- the Mets shifted their defence against McCann, leaving only third baseman David Wright on the left side of the infield -- and the runner broke for home as soon as he saw the ball get away. Even though it rolled only to the edge of the grass and Buck made a quick flip to Marcum covering home, Schafer slid headfirst under the tag. "Great instincts," Gonzalez said. B.J. Upton followed with an RBI double that gave the Braves a two-run cushion, finishing off Marcum. He surrendered six hits and walked four in 4 2-3 innings. Medlen pitched into the eighth, coming out after giving up a bloop single to pinch hitter Josh Satin leading off the inning. Luis Avilan got Mets newcomer Eric Young Jr. to hit into a double play, and Craig Kimbrel struck out two in a perfect ninth for his 20th save in 23 chances. Marcums start is the worst for a Mets pitcher since Anthony Young lost his first 13 decisions in 1993 on the way to a 1-16 record. The only other pitcher in New York history to begin a season with as many as nine consecutive losses was Bob Miller, who started 0-12 in 1962 before winning his final decision with the woeful expansion Mets. "Its been a three-month ordeal for me," Marcum said. NOTES: Young started in centre field and led off for the Mets, less than 24 hours after being acquired from the Colorado Rockies. 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