Yasukawa surprises with practice pace

The biggest surprise during Friday's practice sessions for the opening race of this year's IRL IndyCar Series at the Homestead oval in Florida wasn't really a surprise at all. Roger Yasukawa, the 25-year-old rookie with Super Aguri Fernandez Racing, had the third-fastest lap during the morning session - 200.924 mph - then backed it up with the fourth-fastest lap during the afternoon session

Mar 1, 2003, 1:24 PM

Quietly, Yasukawa downplayed the surprise and significance of his quick times. "Hopefully I won't make any mistakes during the race," he said. "In practice, you have more time to think. During a race, you tension is higher and you've got so many things going on at the same time. When you panic, it's easier to make a mistake."

Yasukawa's Honda showed similar speed in earlier IRL tests, making him a preseason pick for rookie of the year. He also showed oval expertise last seson in Toyota Atlantics, winning his second race at the Milwaukee Mile.

When asked how people would react to knowing he has a shot at Saturday's pole position, Yasukawa laughed. "I would like to see how people are going to react myself," he said.