Friday pm practice: Gil tops the tree

The Brazilian managed a lap of 1m41.055s in his Penske Racing Reynard-Honda to edge Jimmy Vasser and Dario Franchitti. But the expected Penske domination did not materialise as Helio Castroneves struggled to match his team mate's pace.

Castroneves was 11th in the morning session and ninth in the afternoon, his 1m41.872s lap trailing de Ferran by more than 0.8secs. Castroneves said he didn't get a clear lap on new tyres in the afternoon session. Last year, de Ferran qualified on the front row at Elkhart Lake with Castroneves sixth.

"Certainly the car is working well, as it did at Mid-Ohio," said de Ferran, whose hopes for a win at Road America last year were dashed by a gearbox assembly problem that knocked him out of the race after a single lap. "But it's only Friday, and we know there is a lot of work to be done. We have to keep working on the car to make it better.

"I'm happy, but certainly aware that we're going to have to keep making progress throughout the weekend if we want to stay here."

Vasser indulged in a quick spin at Turn 6 that might have cost Franchitti a shot at FTD honours. The Scot was immediately behind Vasser when he lost control of his Patrick Racing Reynard-Toyota and backed it into a gravel trap.

"That corner really kind of sucks you in," said Vasser of Turn 6, a 90-degree left-hander than comes immediately after the cars crest a steep hill. "My spin was pretty characteristic of that corner. You always feel like you're braking too early, so when you try to leave it a little later, it's easy to leave it a little too late. I guess I ran out of talent."

Franchitti took the pole at Elkhart Lake last year but failed to finish the race. The Scot took his first career CART win at this track in 1998 and lists it as his favourite track to drive.

"It's just mega," he said. "No matter how many times you go around this place, it still gives you a huge buzz. It's just a thrill to drive.

"We're in pretty good shape, but it's only Friday," he added. Team Green was looking good for the most part, with Elkhart Lake specialist Michael Andretti right behind Franchitti in fourth place. But last year's race winner Paul Tracy struggled a bit and wound up 24th on the day.

Morning pace-setter Tora Takagi was 1.3 seconds slower in the afternoon and finished 10th overall for the day.