Reigning PPG Cup champion Jimmy Vasser took to the wheel of Target/Chip Ganassi Racing's new 1997 Reynard Honda on Monday in a series of shake-down tests at Firebird East in Arizona. It was the first test of the new car and marked Vasser's first road course test since winning the championship.

"Today was the first day of 1997," the PPG Cup champion said. "It was good to be out on the track again. It's nice to be here in Phoenix with the nice winter weather (temperatures in the 70s).

"It's the first time we've run the new Honda engine and the car is good. I'm happy with it. We're all knocking the rust off after not having run in a while. This is the first time I've been on a road course since Laguna Seca. I'm definitely rusty. It's good to be back in a race car."

Vasser also commented about the busy life of a PPG Cup Champion.

"It's been very busy," he said. "I've not had hardly any time to relax. But, I guess I'll have plenty of time to relax when I retire."

Source: IndyCar News Service