Target/Chip Ganassi Racing’s Jimmy Vasser stayed on top of the time sheets Friday at CART Spring Training as an accident late in the day sent Pac West Racing Group driver Mark Blundell to the hospital for X-rays and observation.

Vasser’s lap of 194.376 mph (28.096 seconds) in Friday’s morning session was the fastest of the two timed sessions run on Friday. Mauricio Gugelmin ended the day as the fastest driver in the afternoon session, but his lap of 193.220 mph (28.268 seconds) was slightly slower than Vasser’s morning speed. It was good enough, however, to give "Big Mo" Friday’s overall second fastest speed in the Hollywood/PacWest Reynard Mercedes-Benz.

The day wasn’t all positive for Pac West, however, as Gugelmin’s teammate Blundell had an accident late in Friday’s second session. Blundell hit the outside wall in the short chute between Turns 1 and 2. He had been running fourth fastest at the time of the accident in the Motorola/Pac West Reynard Mercedes-Benz.

According to CART Director of Medical Affairs, Steve Olvey, Blundell was awake and alert but complained of lower back and neck pain. He was airlifted to Miami’s Jackson Memorial Hospital for X-rays and precautionary observation. According to Dr. Olvey, Blundell showed no apparent signs of paralysis.

The session was checkered after the Blundell incident. Raul Boesel, second in both of Friday’s sessions, recorded an afternoon lap of 191.843 mph (28.467 seconds) in the Brahma Sports Team Reynard Ford Cosworth XD. His morning lap of 192.342 mph (28.397 seconds) was faster, and the third quickest run of the day.

Vasser was third quickest in the Friday afternoon session at 191.667 mph (28.497 seconds).