Pruett lands Toyota's first pole

The 39-year old Arciero Wells driver, who is moving to Winston Cup NASCAR in 2000, was delighted: 'I'm so glad I gave Toyota their first pole.

'It's a milestone. No one else will ever be able to do that. For this to come in my last race in CART, it's awesome.'

Pruett was one of the first cars to go out in the one-at-a-time session, and spent a nail-biting 50 or so minutes waiting for someone to beat his time.

'I told the team to set the car for it's absolute top speed. Imagine the shiniest bullet, and that's what we had. After one lap, it was way to loose, but that one lap was the one that counted.

'I really feel we will be in good shape in the race.'

Max Papis starts second, the Rahal driver robbed of victory in the last 500-mile race when he ran out of fuel on the final lap.

The Italian, who has been quick all weekend is many people's favourites, but after
qualifying he was happy for Pruett and the Arciero Wells team.

'If I couldn't be on pole' said Papis, 'then I can't think of anybody else that I wish would have.'

Papis spent nearly three years with the team, develeping the Toyota power unit, before switching to Rahal Ford for 1999 - but he still has a soft spot: 'You know, we were there developing the Toyota engine for a long time and being a part of the Arciero/Wells family, I share what they feel.'

I'm very proud of those guys - but tomorrow I'm going to kick their ass!'

Third on the grid is title contender Juan Montoya in the Ganassi Honda.

The Colombian congratulated Pruett with gusto - after all, he will be Toyota powered next year.

But for now, his sights are set on doing the best he can, and hoping that series leader Dario Franchitti finishes behind him.

'It's out of my hands. The point for pole would have been good, but we couldn't have gone any quicker.

'The point for leading most laps will also be nice, but what's important is getting the 20 for a win, and it's not worth busting yourself to lead most laps and then sacrifice a win. But our car is good for the race.'

Franchitti will line up eighth, the points leader happy enough with that.

'500 mile races are totally different to any other type of event we do. Throughout the race you adjust the car to make sure it's in fine shape for the finish.

'We've always run well on the superspeedways, and I think this (eighth) is the best I've qualified.

'I'm looking forward to it. It'll be great fun, if nothing else...'

The Marlboro 500, the deciding round of the CART FedEx Championship Series,
starts at 12pm (Pacific), 8pm UK GMT.