MONTEREY, Calif. (Aug. 26, 1996) — Target/Chip Ganassi Racing teammates Jimmy Vasser and Alex Zanardi have been the PPG Cup's most dominant duo this year and the trend continued Monday on the first of two days of IndyCar testing at Laguna Seca Raceway. The session, with 27 race cars posting times, marked IndyCar's first appearance on the recently renovated Laguna Seca Raceway layout.

In the afternoon session, Zanardi posted a time of 68.693 (117.287 mph), with Vasser close behind at 68.739 (117.209) on the revised 2.238-mile track. Zanardi was also quickest in the morning session with a time of 69.224 (116.387 mph). Vasser, locked in a battle for the PPG Cup title with just two events remaining, outshined the driver closest to catching him, Al Unser, Jr. Unser, driving a Marlboro Penske Mercedes, was 14th with an afternoon time of 70.441 (114.377 mph).

Behind Vasser and Zanardi's pair of fast laps, defending race champion Gil DeFerran was the third-quickest driver overall with a morning session time of 69.519 (115.893 mph) in his Hall Racing Pennzoil, fourth quickest of the day. That provided Honda with the four fastest times as the teams prepared for the season-ending Toyota Grand Prix of Monterey, Sept. 8.

Scott Pruett was the first non-Honda at the top of the time sheets with a lap of 69.623 seconds (115.720 mph) in the morning session with his Firestone Patrick Racing Lola Ford.

Canadian rookie sensation Greg Moore, who will be racing at home this weekend as the PPG Indy Car World Series travels to Canada for the Molson Indy Vancouver, was the fifth quickest driver at 69.624 seconds (115.719 mph). The time was set in the afternoon session.

The teams conclude testing at Laguna Seca with a pair of sessions on Tuesday. The track has been repaved, widened in some areas and slightly lengthened in the final turn.

Both the Molson Indy Vancouver and the Toyota Grand Prix of Monterey will be telecast on ESPN. Check local listings for the times in your area.