CART: Da Matta leads Toyota qualifying at Long Beach

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

April 8, 2001

DA MATTA QUALIFIES FOURTH - Cristiano da Matta (Texaco/Havoline Toyota) placed fourth today in qualifying for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on a drying race track. The result marks the second consecutive race that the diminutive Brazilian has been the highest Toyota in qualifying. He started second at Monterrey on the way to winning the season-opening Tecate Grand Prix.

FITTIPALDI MAKES IT TWO IN THE TOP-10 FOR NHR - Christian Fittipaldi (Kmart Toyota) placed 10th in qualifying today to join Newman/Haas Racing teammate Cristiano da Matta in the top-10 today. Fittipaldi was hampered by participating in today's first qualifying group as the first qualifying session lost key minutes to both red-flag conditions as well as a late rain that prevented the group from making a move near the close of the session. Fittipaldi was the second-fastest qualifier in his group.

MR. CONSISTENCY - Jimmy Vasser (Patrick Toyota) turned in a fast lap late in the session to place eighth overall for Sunday's Toyota Grand Prix. Today's effort is the second straight top-10 starting position for Vasser, who qualified ninth at the season-opener in Mexico. Vasser has been among the top two Toyota qualifiers in each race this season.

MINASSIAN TOP ROOKIE - Nicolas Minassian (Target Toyota) was the top rookie in CART qualifying today at 14th - his best career starting position in two CART races.

Toyota Drivers Long Beach Qualifying

Place. Driver

4. Cristiano da Matta
8. Jimmy Vasser
10. Christian Fittipaldi
12. Nicolas Minassian
16. Tora Takagi
18. Mauricio Gugelmin
19. Scott Dixon
22. Roberto Moreno
28. Bruno Junqueira

Text provided by John Prodica

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