Friday practice: Junqueira on target

"One of the reasons I came from Europe to race in America was the ovals," said Junqueira, after posting a lap timed at 23.714 seconds (156.212 mph). "I love fast corners, and that's what ovals are all about. I especially like ovals like this one, and Nazareth and Motegi, because you're not flat out. You're really driving the car, with shifting and braking. It's a challenge for the teams and the engineers to find a good set-up.

"Team Target is used to winning races and that hasn't happened this year," he added. "So I'm going to be trying hard on Sunday, especially here at the Target Grand Prix."

Kenny Brack, the acknowledged ovalmeister of the 2001 season, was second fastest Friday in his Team Rahal Lola-Ford.

"I think we had a good day," Brack commented. "We're making progress ­ I think the Shell Ford was right on target.

"Oval racing is a little different, but you can use a lot of the knowledge you have from road racing," he added. "All the corners are high speed, but there are walls, so the intimidation factor is high. Some drivers can never overcome that fear factor. You just have to shut it all out and focus on the driving."

A surprising third fastest was Japanese rookie Toro Takagi, who clocked 23.76s in his Walker Racing Reynard-Toyota. All 24 drivers were within 0.7s of Junqueira's time.

"The car is good ­ I like ovals," remarked the Japanese rookie. "At every race, the first day is a problem for me. After two or three days at a new track, it gets better. That comes with experience."

Adrian Fernandez ran fourth on Friday, ahead of Alex Zanardi, da Matta and Michigan winner Patrick Carpentier.

Mauricio Gugelmin had the day's only accident, but two other incidents produced raised eyebrows but no wall contact. Michael Andretti appeared to blow a chunk of the plenum off his Honda engine, while Gil de Ferran brought out the day's last yellow when he coasted to a stop on the main straight with a wheel askew from a broken lower left rear wishbone.

"It felt like something broke as I entered Turn 3," de Ferran said. "It wasn't a nice feeling."