BROOKLYN, Mich. (July 21, 2000) - Paul Tracy of Team KOOL Green tookadvantage of ideal weather conditions Friday to post the fastest lap of theopening day of practice for Sunday's Michigan 500 Presented by Toyota atMichigan Speedway.

Tracy (KOOL Honda Reynard) recorded a lap of 236.749 miles per hour (30.412seconds) on the two-mile oval to top 25 drivers who posted practice speedsfor Sunday's 500-mile 11th round of the FedEx Championship Series (1:30 p.m.ET, live, ABC-TV). Tracy's speed bettered the track qualifying record of234.665 mph (30.682 seconds) recorded by Jimmy Vasser during qualifying forthe 1996 Marlboro 500, but does not stand as a track standard, which must beestablished in qualifying or race conditions.

Qualifying begins 11 a.m. ET Saturday. Tracy will be seeking his first polesince 1997 at Milwaukee, and will also be looking to exceed his season-beststart of third at Rio de Janeiro.

Michael Andretti (Big Kmart/Texaco/Havoline Ford Lola) of Newman/Haas Racingwas second fastest Friday at 235.479 mph (30.576 seconds). His quick timecame in the morning practice session, while those of Tracy and third-placeHelio Castroneves (Marlboro Honda Reynard) came in the afternoon.

Like Tracy, Andretti is chasing a season-best start, topping the third-placeeffort from which he drove to victory at Toronto last week.

Castroneves, of Marlboro Team Penske, was third at 235.356 mph (30.592seconds). He is seeking his third pole in the past four events, to joinprevious pole-winning performances at Portland and Toronto.

Defending FedEx Championship Series and reigning Indianapolis 500 championJuan Montoya (Target Toyota Lola) of Target Chip Ganassi Racing was fourthfastest at 235.110 mph (30.624 seconds). He was followed by Dario Franchitti(KOOL Honda Reynard) of Team KOOL Green, the man Montoya dueled for thechampionship last year.

Franchitti was fifth fastest at 234.154 mph (30.749 seconds).

The top four drivers all posted speeds exceeding Vasser's track standard.

FedEx Championship Series leader Roberto Moreno (Visteon Ford Reynard) ofPatrick Racing was 16th fastest at 230.378 mph (31.253 seconds). He holds a90-88 championship lead over Andretti heading into Sunday's event.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

PAUL TRACY, KOOL Honda Reynard: "It was a big tow. I got help from Adrian[Fernandez] and [Roberto] Moreno, who were running nose-to-tail on the backstraight. It was a bit hair-raising at the end of the back straight. Ilooked down at the dash as it said, '248 [miles per hour].' I stayed in it,but it was pretty fast. I think it might be time to make some more changesto slow the cars down."

MICHAEL ANDRETTI, Big Kmart/Texaco/Havoline Ford Lola: "The car unloadedreally quick. [Andretti's Newman/Haas Racing teammate] Christian[Fittipaldi] tested here and really liked the racecar. It was quick rightoff the truck, so I'm pretty happy. We just need to maintain that, and weshould be in good shape."

HELIO CASTRONEVES, Marlboro Honda Reynard: "When we took the car out of thetruck it felt pretty good right off the bat. Of course, the draft here isunbelievable. In the afternoon, I was in the draft a lot. My fast lap wasbehind either Michael or Christian. The car felt really good in the draft.If the car's like this for the rest of the weekend, it'll be good because wehave a good car. I'm hoping that we keep doing what Marlboro Team Penske isdoing because, right now, it's fun."

WHAT'S NOTEWORTHY

* Defending Michigan 500 Presented by Toyota champion Tony Kanaan(Hollywood/Mo Nunn Racing Mercedes Reynard) of Mo Nunn Racing was 20thfastest Friday in his return from a fractured left forearm and four crackedribs sustained in a June 17 qualifying accident at Detroit. Kanaan's fastlap clocked in at 229.241 mph (31.408 seconds).

* Paul Tracy (KOOL Honda Reynard) is a 12-time pole winner in theFedEx Championship Series, but has not started from the front of the fieldsince 1997 at Milwaukee. His top start in nine career appearances atMichigan is fifth in 1993.

* Michael Andretti (Big Kmart/Texaco/Havoline Ford Lola) has startedamong the top three drivers five times in his career, including a poleposition in 1987, from which he drove to victory.

* Helio Castroneves (Marlboro Honda Reynard) of Marlboro Team Penskeis seeking his fifth top-three start in his past seven FedEx ChampionshipSeries events. Included are pole positions at Portland and Toronto andstarts third at Nazareth and Detroit.

WHAT'S ON TAP

Qualifying for the Michigan 500 Presented by Toyota will air 12:30 a.m. ETSunday on ESPN2.