Pruett Sets Pace
At Mid-Ohio Open Test
LEXINGTION, Ohio (June 11, 1996) - Scott Pruett posted the quickest lap time Tuesday during the first of a two-day open IndyCar test session at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.The test is being held in advance of the Aug. 11 Miller 200 PPG Indy Car World Series event at the 2.25-mile, 13-turn Mid-Ohio road course.
Pruett, driving the Firestone Patrick Racing Lola Ford, was clocked at one minute, 9.564 seconds on his quickest circuit of the track, an average speed of 116.440 miles per hour. Pruett, who claimed his first career IndyCar pole position at last week's ITT Automotive Detroit Grand Prix, was clocked just a shade of Hollywood PacWest Reynard Ford driver Mauricio Gugelmin, whose fast lap of one minute, 9.693 miles per hour translated to an average speed of 116.224 mph.
Pruett and Gugelmin were well ahead of the other 17 drivers who participated in the morning session. Target Reynard Honda driver Alex Zanardi and Shell Reynard Mercedes driver Bryan Herta tied for third place in the morning session, both at one minute, 10.450 seconds and 114.975 miles per hour. There was limited participation in the afternoon session, which was delayed by a noon-hour rainstorm.
Rounding out the top 10 drivers for the morning session were Paul Tracy in a Marlboro Penske Mercedes (one minute, 10.614 seconds, 114.708 mph), Raul Boesel in the Brahma Sports Team Reynard Ford (one minute, 10.789 seconds, 114.425 mph), Robby Gordon in the Valvoline/Cummins/Craftsman Special Reynard Ford Cosworth (one minute, 10.837 seconds, 114.347 mph), Bobby Rahal in the Miller Reynard Mercedes (one minute, 10.869 seconds, 114.295 mph), Parker Johnstone in the Motorola Reynard Honda (one minute, 11.088 seconds, 113.943 mph) and Greg Moore in a Player's/Indeck Reynard Mercedes (one minute, 11.191 seconds, 113.778 mph).
Other drivers participating in the day-long test included Adrian Fernandez, in the Tecate Beer/Quaker State Lola Honda; Mark Blundell, in the VISA/PacWest Reynard Ford; Al Unser, Jr., in a Marlboro Penske Mercedes; Andre Ribeiro, in the LCI International Lola Honda; Eddie Lawson, in the Delco Electronics High Team Galles Lola Mercedes; Jeff Krosnoff, in the MCI Reynard Toyota; Juan Manuel Fangio II, in an All American Racers Eagle Toyota; P.J. Jones, in an All-American Racers Eagle Toyota and Roberto Moreno, in The Data Control Car Lola Ford.
Newman Haas Racing Teammates Michael Andretti -- who has won three of the past four PPG Indy Car World Series events, including last week's at Detroit -- and Christian Fittipaldi, did not participate in the open test.
Unser is the defending Miller 200 champion, having won last year's event at an average speed of 107.110 mph.
Following an off-weekend, the PPG Indy Car World Series returns to action June 23, with the Budweiser/G.I. Joe's 200 at Portland (Ore.) International Raceway.
Source: IndyCar Media News Service
