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CART: Castro-Neves Runs Fastest Practice Lap for Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix

2 May 1999

NAZARETH, Pa.-- Helio Castro-Neves of Hogan Racing adjusted quickly to new Championship Auto Racing Teams regulations for reducing speeds at short oval events by posting the fastest lap following Fridays practice for Sundays Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix Presented by Toyota at Nazareth Speedway.

Castro-Neves (Hogan Motor Leasing, Inc. Mercedes Lola), a second-year driver in his inaugural season with Hogan, averaged 172.357 miles per hour (19.759 seconds) on his fastest lap of the 0.946-mile oval during the second day of practice for Sundays fourth round of the FedEx Championship Series (12:30 p.m., live, ESPN). His top lap was more than 12 miles per hour slower than last years record-setting pole speed of 184.896 mph established by Patrick Carpentier as a result of the change to superspeedway wings on the 1-mile ovals this season.

This weekends Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix Presented by Toyota is the first of two short oval events this season in which Champ Cars will utilize the new aerodynamic package aimed at reducing downforce and containing speeds. The package also is scheduled for the Miller Lite 225, June 4-6 at The Milwaukee Mile.

Mark Blundell (Hollywood PacWest Mercedes) was second fastest 169.147 miles per hour (20.134 seconds). He was followed by FedEx Championship Series points leader Greg Moore (Players/Indeck Mercedes Reynard) at 169.080 mph (20.142 seconds).

The top three drivers were all Mercedes-powered. Blundell posted his top speed in the morning practice session while Castro-Neves and Moore posted theirs in the afternoon. Qualifying is scheduled for Saturday afternoon at 1:15 p.m. ET.

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