Preview: Brakes put to the test

Lap times have been about six seconds slower than F1, and most of the difference is coming in the braking zones. Champ Cars are not allowed to utilize carbon brake discs on road courses, and the braking system is expected to be the weak link for many teams in today's race.

"I think this is going to be the hardest race of the year on brakes," remarked local hero Patrick Carpentier, who was third fastest in the Sunday morning warmup behind Kenny Brack and his team-mate, Alex Tagliani. "Everyone has been having problems, even after just a few laps."

"This is a unique track, very hard on brakes and rear tyres," remarked Brian Lisles, the engineering director for Newman/Haas Racing. "It's a lot like Imola or Surfers Paradise, with long straights and lots of hard braking for slow turns. Rear tyre wear will also be an issue, and today I think you'll see a bigger performance difference than usual between cars at the end of each stint."

CART has mandated the pit stop window at 21 laps today, meaning each driver will make a minimum of three pit stops.

Brack's best lap in the warm-up was timed at 1m20.647s in a session that featured no major dramas for anyone.