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Friday, April 27
Speeds amaze rookies at Texas
Associated Press

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Bruno Junqueira and Nicolas Minassian, the rookie teammates for Target Chip Ganassi Racing, will race on an oval for the first time this weekend.

Until now, the former road racing rivals had only tested on ovals, which are nonexistent on the Formula 3000 series. Both turned laps of better than 230 mph during practice Friday at Texas Motor Speedway for this weekend's Firestone Firehawk 600.

"I have never driven this fast before in my life. The speeds here are amazing," Junqueira said.

"All I can say is wow. This is an experience that is brand new for me," Minassian said. "It is almost like being on a roller coaster. I have never turned a lap over 230 mph before and it is an incredible feeling."

Fast traps
Kenny Brack turned the fastest lap during practice Friday at 233.785 mph. Dario Franchitti had the fastest trap speed.

The three "speed traps" set up by CART at Texas Motor Speedway were at the start/finish line, coming off Turn 2 (generally the slowest portion of the track) and at the end of the backstretch going into Turn 3 (generally the fastest portion). Those traps provide quick, one-time takes of speed.

Franchitti reached 238.936 mph at the start/finish line trap on his 49th lap. The highest speed at the Turn 2 trap was 231.470 mph by both Paul Tracy and Christian da Matta, while Kenny Brack and Michael Andretti both hit 235.367 mph in the trap coming off the backstretch.

Mandatory HANS
Because this is CART's first race on an oval this season, it is the first time that all drivers are required to wear the HANS device.

The Head and Neck Support device is mandatory for CART drivers on ovals. The device is being adapted in an effort to minimize injuries caused to the head, neck and spine areas during crashes.

Eventually, the HANS is expected to become mandatory for all CART races.

Coyne gone
Dale Coyne Racing withdrew its two entries from the Firestone Firehawk 600, ending the team's streak of 177 straight CART appearances.

Owner Dale Coyne cited a difficulty in finding financial support for his two cars driven by Luiz Garcia Jr. and Michael Krumm. Coyne indicated that he hoped to return to the series in the new future, but didn't give a timetable.

The Coyne team hasn't finished a race this year. Krumm, a CART rookie, was 23rd in Mexico and 15th at Long Beach, while Garcia finished 26th and 27th.

Owner spotter
Tom Wierenga, the owner of the Sigma Autopsist team, is serving as the spotter this weekend for his driver, Oriole Servia.

Servia, the Spanish driver in his second CART season, ran 117 laps Friday with a top speed of 229.156 mph.

Wierenga founded the team this season and has raced as an owner/driver in the CART-sanctioned Toyota/Atlantic Series.

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