Andretti fastest at Homestead test

Andretti got behind the wheel of the 2000-spec Lola chassis for the first time during the two-day test at the 1.5-mile oval - although no lap times were released.

'We started off slow on Wednesday,' he said, 'so we could learn about the Lola on this type of course.

'We had to play around a little to get a good set-up and were able to run some good times in the afternoon.

'From what I know about the other lap times, we ran some of the best times so far at Homestead.

'Pre-season times don't mean anything once the season starts but it definitely feels good to runwell out of the box.'

Andretti also tested the new Ford-Cosworth XF engine and Handford Mk II rear wing for the first time and had a favorable opinion of both.

'The new Ford XF was great,' Andretti said afterwards. 'The power is good. It is everything I have heard about it and more. It was a little hard to tell the total capability of the engine with the new rules and rear wing.

'Ford is working hard to make sure it will be as reliable as the Ford XD was. The new wing is definitely a step forward from the original Handford wing.

'It definitely does what it was designed to do. We were about a second slower with the new wing, which was CART's goal.

'The drivability is similar to last year but it is a little trickier. It's just like everything else, once you get used to it, there is no problem.

'I hope 2000 is the season for us. The competition is going to be as strong as ever in CART so we need to keep up the hard work. It takes a lot to win in this series these days.'

The CART FedEx Championship Series season begins on March 26 with the Marlboro Grand Prix of Miami at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. Andretti wonback-to-back events in 1997 and 1998.