CART: Da Matta places second in first day practice at Monterrey

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

MONTERREY, Mexico (March 9, 2001) - Cristiano da Matta turned in the second-fastest time of the day with a lap of more than 96 miles per hour in Friday practice for Sunday's Tecate Telmex Grand Prix of Monterrey - the season opener for the CART FedEx Championship Series.

Da Matta, in his third season with Toyota power, was making his official debut in the Texaco/Havoline Toyota Lola for Newman/Haas Racing after two seasons with Precision Preparation Inc.

A pair of Toyota rookies also placed in the overall top 10 in their debut CART performance. Scott Dixon, the 2000 Indy Lights champion, was seventh overall in his PowerWare PacWest Toyota, while reigning FIA Formula 3000 champ Bruno Junqueira was 10th in his Target Toyota.

Qualifying for Sunday's feature event is set to begin Saturday at 1:45 (CST). Sunday's Tecate Telmex Grand Prix of Monterrey is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. local time (CST) and will be aired live by ABC.

Toyota Drivers Overall - Day 1

Place. Driver

2. Cristiano da Matta
7. Scott Dixon
10. Bruno Junqueira
13. Christian Fittipaldi
14. Nic Minassian
16. Roberto Moreno
18. Mauricio Gugelmin
22. Tora Takagi
23. Jimmy Vasser

Text Provided By Toyota

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