MONTEREY, Calif. (Aug. 27, 1996) — Day two of IndyCar's open test at Laguna Seca Raceway ended Tuesday almost exactly the same way it went all day Monday as Target/Chip Ganassi Racing teammates Alex Zanardi and Jimmy Vasser continued to pace the 26 drivers posting times.

The afternoon session featured the fastest lap times of the two-days with Zanardi's time of 67.686 seconds (119.032 mph) topping all comers. Vasser trailed close behind with a lap of 68.065 seconds (118.369 mph). However, Bryan Herta captured some of the thunder for Team Rahal as he tied Vasser's lap of 68.065 seconds in the afternoon session. Herta's Mercedes power also kept Honda from capturing the top three spots, as Tasman Motorsports' Andre Ribeiro was fourth-quickest overall with a time of 68.747 seconds (117.195 mph).

Greg Moore rounded out the top-five with a lap of 69.061 seconds (116.662 mph).

Moore will be racing at home this weekend as the PPG Indy Car World Series travels to Canada for the Molson Indy Vancouver. The race will be televised on ESPN on Sunday, September 1 at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Teams spent two full days of testing here at the revised and re-paved Laguna Seca facility, which is slightly expanded to 2.238 miles from 2.214 miles. Despite the additional length, Jacques Villeneuve's track record of 114.476 set during qualifying in 1995, was easily shattered. The teams were preparing for the Toyota Grand Prix of Monterey, Sept. 8. The race is live on ESPN at 3:00 p.m. ET.

In a luncheon press conference, all the drivers spoke highly of the new track, with Hall Racing's Gil De Ferran saying it has "set the standard" for other race tracks. Those thoughts were echoed by Bobby Rahal, who dominated this race in the 1980s, with wins in 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987. Among the improvements at Laguna Seca are completely reconfigured turns 10 and 11 (accounting for the increased length), a larger pit lane by 300 feet, three acres of additional paddock space, additional apex and exit space, and an entirely resurfaced track.

"We first came here in 1983 and it was a very rewarding track when you had a good lap," said Rahal, who was seventh quickest overall with a time of 19.140 seconds (116.529 mph). "But there was a lot of risk, too. What they've done now to the track is just fantastic. From a safety standpoint and a competitive standpoint, it was well worth the investment."

Series newcomer Max Papis of Arcerio-Wells Racing said, "I'm very impressed with the safety aspect here. It shows what other tracks should be like. I have been around some very dangerous circuit and the changes they have made here will send a message to the other circuits in this country. My schedule has been very busy with five races in five weeks. In fact, I will miss Vancouver this weekend because I will be in Dallas trying to win the IMSA WSC championship."