Dixon clocked 1 minute, 31.7707 seconds with the Target Chip Ganassi team at the 2.6-mile (4.2-kilometer), 11-turn Anhembi temporary street circuit on Saturday.

Penske's Ryan Briscoe finished .2024 seconds behind, followed by Andretti Autosport's Tony Kanaan, who was .2046 slower in front of his home crowd.

Defending series champion Dario Franchitti of Scotland was 17th with a lap of 1:33.8456. Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves was eighth with a time of 1:32.9402, and American Danica Patrick had only the 22nd-fastest time among the 24 drivers with 1:34.7795.