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CART: Montoya sets practice pace for U.S. 500 presented by Toyota

24 July 1999

BROOKLYN, Mich. - Rookie Juan Montoya of Target/Chip Ganassi Racing, making the first superspeedway appearance of his FedEx Championship Series career, found his comfort level immediately Friday when he led the opening day of practice for the U.S. 500 Presented by Toyota at Michigan Speedway. (1:30 p.m. ET Sunday, live, ABC-TV).

Montoya's (Target Honda Reynard) pace-setting lap of 231.258 miles per hour (31.134 seconds) on the two-mile oval came in the afternoon practice session. Montoya, who leads the FedEx Championship Series with 113 points, will be chasing his fifth pole of the season when qualifying begins 10:30 a.m. ET Saturday.

Of the 42 cars that posted practice times, 26 were grouped within a second.

Mauricio Gugelmin (Hollywood PacWest Mercedes) was second fastest at 230.740 mph (31.204 seconds). He will make his 100th career FedEx Championship Series start by taking the green flag Sunday and is seeking to match or better his season-best start of second at Japan.

Max Papis (Miller Lite Ford Reynard) was third at 230.518 mph (31.234 seconds). He will be attempting to match or better a career-best start of third at Japan during Saturday's qualifying session.

Defending U.S. 500 Presented by Toyota champion Greg Moore (Player's Forsythe Racing Team Mercedes Reynard) was fourth at 230.260 mph (31.269 seconds). He was followed by Christian Fittipaldi (Big Kmart Ford Swift), at 229.760 mph (31.337 seconds).

Moore has scored PPG Cup points in nine consecutive events contested on ovals, dating to last year's victory at Michigan. Fittipaldi is riding back-to-back podium finishes, including his first career FedEx Championship Series victory at Road America.

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