CART: Toyota fastest at Nazareth

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

May 05, 2001

NAZARETH, Pa. - Rookie Bruno Junqueira, driving a Target Toyota, registered the overall fastest time of the day in preparation for Sunday's CART Lehigh Valley Grand Prix Presented by Toyota at Nazareth Speedway.

Junqueira, the 2001 FIA Formula 3000 champion, turned in a 166.248 mph lap to lead the 25-car CART field on the 0.946-mile tri-oval. For the 24-year-old Brazilian, the track is the first CART facility where he's had a chance to test prior to a race weekend.

FedEx Championship Series points leader Cristiano da Matta (Texaco/Havoline Toyota) was the next highest Toyota on Friday at ninth overall. He's followed by Jimmy Vasser (13th - Patrick Racing Toyota), Christian Fittipaldi (14th - Kmart Toyota), Tora Takagi (15th - Pioneer Toyota), Nicolas Minassian (16th - Target Toyota), Roberto Moreno (19th - Visteon Toyota) and Scott Dixon (24th - Nextel Toyota). The first 23 cars were separated by less than one second.

Only eight Toyota-powered cars will be in the field this weekend. Mauricio Gugelmin will miss the event after the passing of his young son earlier this week.

Qualifying for Sunday's feature race is set to begin Saturday at 1:30 (EDT). The green flag for Sunday's Lehigh Valley Grand Prix Presented by Toyota is set to wave at 1:00 p.m. (EDT) and will be aired live by ESPN. In addition, qualifying takes place Saturday for Sunday's 65-lap Toyota Atlantic Championship race.

Text Provided By John Prodica

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