Junqueira top at Vegas

The session wasn't all about outright speed though as most cars set out to run laps in traffic in preparation for the series first ever race at the track on September 25.

Championship points leader Bourdais for one reckons that all the indications show the race should be a good one. "There are probably three lines around this track but the bottom is definitely the fast way around," said the Frenchman. "You can come up on other guys and the car pretty much reacts the same way in traffic as it does on its own. It should make for an exciting race."

Briton Guy Smith was one of the stars of the day. Having made his series debut with Rocketsports at Elkhart Lake earlier this month, the Yorkshireman impressed with sixth best time here - the top lap by a rookie. His Rocketsports team-mate - and Elkhart Lake victor - Alex Tagliani was only 10th best.

The other Brit in the field, Justin Wilson, was 14th quickest at Vegas in his Conquest Lola, lapping at 197.954mph.

Bruno Junqueira Newman/Haas Lola 26.538s
Sebastien Bourdais Newman/Haas Lola 26.586s
Patrick Carpentier Forsythe Lola 26.604s
Ryan Hunter-Reay Herdez Lola 26.625s
Paul Tracy Forsythe Lola 26.723s
Guy Smith Rocketsports Lola 26.725s
Mario Dominguez Herdez Lola 26.781s
Rodolfo Lavin Forsythe Lola 26.816s
Jimmy Vasser PKV Lola 26.856s
Alex Tagliani Rocketsports Lola 26.991s