CART ace Vasser heads Busch tests

Vasser, who was assisting Raybestos rookie contender Chad Blount in the Braun Racing Dodge, posted a lap of 184.158 mph Tuesday afternoon. In addition to a fulltime ChampCar campaign this season, most likely with Stefan Johansson's new team, Vasser is planning on running a limited Busch schedule in 2003 for car owner Todd Braun, including the Koolerz 300 at Daytona next month.

"The team wanted to put some qualifying-type tricks [on the car] to see how fast it could go," said Vasser. "Most of the [others] probably haven't done those things yet. That's why it appears to be a little bit faster than other cars. The car is fast.

"With the team, the Dodge and the Elliott motor, it is really fast in qualifying [set-up], but I'm sure the race is going to be a whole different story for me. I've never encountered a bunch of cars in a pack drafting. I'm looking forward to coming back and practicing in a draft.

"My plan is to do 10-12 Busch races and to learn on different tracks, get to know people and teams and see how I do," added Vasser.