Qualifying: Wash-out in Milwaukee

Milwaukee Mile officials announced the cancellation at 1450 local time. The rain started just prior to the scheduled 0930 Champ car practice and continued until around 1430. It normally takes around two hours to dry the 1.029-mile oval, but unseasonably cold temperatures would likely have increased that time.

Last year's Champ Car race at Milwaukee was rained out and run on Monday. Williams-BMW star Juan Montoya won that delayed race to earn his first victory of the 2000 season. It also marked Toyota's first triumph in Champ car competition.

The starting grid for Sunday's 225-lap race will be determined by championship standings. Kenny Brack will therefore start on the pole, with Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves alongside. The duo ran first and third respectively in the single Friday practice session. Brack, however, will not receive the championship point that normally goes to the pole position-winning driver. Cristiano da Matta and Paul Tracy will make up the second row.

"This is not how I would have liked to win the pole, but it's still a good place to be starting for the race," said Brack. "We have to do the best we can with what we are given, but I have a lot of confidence in Don Halliday and the Team Rahal engineers for the race set-up."

Not all of the drivers were upset by losing out to Mother Nature.

"I don't mind that we lost out on the practice time," said Team Green's Tracy. "I'm a racer. I'm ready to suit up and go race." Tracy is a two-time Milwaukee winner (1995 and '99).

Sunday's forecast calls for possible lingering morning showers, but the afternoon is expected to be clear but cool, with temperatures around 60 degrees F.

For championship standings, click here.