PacWest Racing’s Mauricio Gugelmin posted the top practice speed of the day Friday during the initial day of practice for the Grand Prix of Miami, presented by Toyota, the opening event of the PPG CART World Series at the Metro-Dade Homestead Motorsports Complex.

Gugelmin guided his Hollywood PacWest Mercedes to a top speed of 192.941 mph during afternoon practice on the on the 1.517-mile oval. He was followed by Alex Zanardi (Target Reynard Honda), at 191.399 mph, and Bobby Rahal (Miller Lite Ford Cosworth), at 191.191 mph. Gugelmin and Rahal’s quick times came during the afternoon practice session, while Zanardi’s came in the morning.

"I took a shot at a lap time, but I don’t know who’s going to be there [Saturday]," said Gugelmin, looking ahead to Saturday’s 12:30 p.m. qualifying session. "Obviously, we will try to be there, but it is very difficult to say who else."

Gugelmin will be chasing the first CART pole of his career Saturday, while Zanardi wil be looking for his fifth consecutive pole position, a streak dating back to last year. Zanardi, who led the PPG CART World Series with six poles last season, could set a CART record by making his ninth consecutive front-row start if he qualifies first or second on Saturday. He currently shares the series standard of eight front-row starts with Bobby Unser (1979-80) and Bobby Rahal (1985).

"The record is something that is nice, and I would love to break that tie," said Zanardi. "However, I think I’m facing the most difficult race for me, because this is not simply an oval, it is a very difficult one. I’m just going to try my best to win the pole if it’s possible; not for the record, but because it will give me a PPG Cup point."

Rahal was delighted with the performance of his Miller Lite mount, particularly the new Ford power plant.

"I’m very pleased," said the 16-year CART veteran and three-time PPG Cup champion. "I don’t have enough good things to say. I think a lot of people thought we were nuts last year when we made the change [from Mercedes to Ford power], but right now, I’m pretty happy with the world.

Defending PPG Cup champion Jimmy Vasser (Target Reynard Honda) was sixth-fastest Friday, at 190.604 mph. He was preceded by Gil de Ferran (Valvoline Cummins Reynard Honda), fourth at 191.051 mph, and rookie Patrick Carpentier (Alumax Reynard Mercedes), fifth at 190.897 mph.

The Grand Prix of Miami Presented by Toyota, first of 17 events in the 1997 PPG CART World Series, takes the green flag at 1:30 p.m. Sunday (live, ABC-TV).