Vasser heads Mid-Ohio test

Vasser shook off a spin at the fast Turn 1 and turned a 1m07.8 lap in his Shell Lola-Ford.

"We have been pretty focused on Indianapolis and qualifying for the Indy 500, but we have to keep our focus on the big picture and once we get back on the CART schedule we will be racing at Laguna Seca and Portland," said Vasser. "It was good to take the road course set-up through the paces and to get a feel for the car again."

Tora Takagi lapped in 1m08.2s but packed up early after suffering mechanical failures in both of his Walker Racing Reynard-Toyotas, while PWR Championship Racing ran Oriol Servia and Scott Dixon. Servia managed a 1m08.4s and was on a quicker lap that he had to give up when Dario Franchitti spun.

Franchitti was having his first run in a Lola chassis, which was painted in a new colour scheme set to be unveiled at the next Champ Car round at Milwaukee.

Townsend Bell and Mario Dominguez also tested, with Bell wiping the front wing off his Patrick Racing Reynard-Toyota after spinning at Turn 1.