New teams satisfied with progress

Conquest Racing's Franck Perera was the best of the transition entries in 15th place overall, just ahead of Oriol Servia (KV) and Justin Wilson (Newman Haas Lanigan).

They were behind all the IndyCar regulars bar Milka Duno and the two drivers who crashed in the session, Dan Wheldon and Jay Howard.

But the Champ Car converts emphasised that their focus for Homestead was to continue learning about the IRL cars rather than aiming for results.

"It wasn't quick enough but we are working on the car to make it faster," said Wilson.

"Right now I am just happy to have made that start and get one qualifying session behind me. We're taking it one step at a time. Every mile and lap we do helps us get closer to our goal of running in the front."

KV Racing's Will Power said he was following a similar strategy after qualifying a careful 21st.

"For me it is just about the race, get as many miles as I can, learn how to run in traffic while finding more out about the car," said the Australian.

Atlantic graduate Perera was pleased to emerge fastest amongst the newcomers.

"I've only done two days of testing here and practice today so to be top fifteen in this field is very satisfying," he said. "It's good for my first time qualifying on an oval."

Brian Barnhart, the Indy Racing League's president of competition and operations, said the scale of the challenge facing the transition teams should not be underestimated.

"It's a very daunting task," he said Brian Barnhart. "There was a misnomer about (the cars being) over-downforced, underpowered, easy-to-drive, flat-out on an oval.

"(After) the two days of testing earlier this week, none of them would stand by that or say it's the case. It's a challenge out there. With 25 cars on the track, it will be an experience of learning the tendencies of other drivers."

Servia emphasised how much of a headstart the experienced IRL teams had over the Champ Car squads.

"We're trying to learn in two days what other teams have learned in five years," he said.