Kanaan fastest in final practice

"I wasn't looking for a fast lap at all - I just got a good draft," said Kanaan. "I'm relaxed, because have a good car. We just have to work and stay on the lead lap so we can go racing the last 30 laps."

Hornish was the fastest man on the track for much of the race at Indianapolis last year, but only after he fell from contention after an early spin. He's been waiting all year to make up for his error.

"After the race I had last year, I'm really looking forward to Sunday," remarked the 2001 IRL champion and current points leader. "I wasn't to get another chance to see if I can do a better job. We've tried not to get ahead of ourselves so we don't peak before race day."

Gil de Ferran was fourth fastest in Thursday's 'Carb Day' practice, while other top contenders Robbie Buhl, Michael Andretti, Jimmy Vasser and Helio Castroneves also ran in the top 10. Pole winner Bruno Junqueira was 10th at 224.140mph in his first laps since he lightly crashed his race car last week.