Vasser Heats Up a Cold Day in Michigan

L.A. Times Archives

May 12, 1996 12 AM PT

From Associated Press

BROOKLYN, Mich. —

Jimmy Vasser was hottest at Michigan International Speedway, where temperatures plunged Saturday.

Vasser, who has won three Indy-car races this season, drove his Reynard-Honda around the high-banked two-mile oval in 31.031 seconds, averaging 232.025 mph to qualify for the pole position for the first U.S. 500, offered as an alternative to the May 26 Indianapolis 500 by the owners of Championship Auto Racing Teams.

Adrian Fernandez was next at 231.108 in a Lola-Honda, and Bryan Herta earned the third spot on Row 1 at 230.774 in a Reynard-Mercedes.

“You always think you can do better, but I’m not complaining,” said Vasser, who also won the pole at the IndyCar Australia, a road course race he won at Surfers Paradise in March. “The Honda engine has a lot of power.”

The qualifying run was made in less-than-ideal conditions. A heavy morning rain delayed practice. The temperature was 42 degrees with a wind-chill factor of 28 during qualifying.

“I think the run could have been faster,” Vasser said. “The track’s in great shape. It’s as good as any time since I’ve been running at Michigan.”

The U.S. 500 was born of a rift between CART, the organization that runs the IndyCar circuit, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony George. When George ruled that 25 of the 33 starting places for the 80th running of the Indy 500 would be reserved for members of his rival Indy Racing League, CART owners elected to hold their own race on May 26.

Vasser, the CART points leader, defended the formation of the rival race. He said most of the drivers prefer competing against the best in the business. This year, that means the field at Michigan, rather than at Indy.

“My rookie year, Rick Mears was in the [Indianapolis 500], and Al Unser and Mario Andretti,” said Vasser, who earned $100,000 for his pole run. “And those guys down there [at Indy] are missing all that. And that’s something that can never be replaced.

“Memorial Day weekend is traditionally a big weekend, so that’s always going to be. But we’re not going to be there. We had to pack up and move on.”

Al Unser Jr., a two-time Indy 500 winner, was in the middle of Row 2 after the qualifying round with a lap at 230.213 in a Penske-Mercedes. He will be flanked on the starting grid by Alex Zanardi in a Reynard-Honda and Andre Ribeiro in a Lola-Honda.

Vasser’s speed topped the pole speed of last year’s Marlboro 500 pole winner, Parker Johnstone, who ran 230.458. The track record at MIS remains 234.275, by Mario Andretti in 1993.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

U.S. 500 Qualifying

Qualifying speeds Saturday for the May 26 U.S. 500 at Brooklyn, Mich., with driver, hometown or country, car number, chassis-engine and speed in mph. All cars 1996 models unless noted otherwise:

1. Jimmy Vasser, San Francisco, No. 12, Reynard-Honda, 232.025.

2. Adrian Fernandez, Mexico, No. 32, Lola-Honda, 231.108.

3. Bryan Herta, Valencia, No. 28, Reynard-Mercedes, 230.774.

4. r-Alex Zanardi, Italy, No. 4X, Reynard-Honda, 230.751.

5. Al Unser Jr., Albuquerque, No. 2, Penske-Mercedes, 230.213.

6. Andre Ribeiro, Brazil, No. 31, Lola-Honda, 229.710.

7. Paul Tracy, Canada, No. 3, Penske-Mercedes, 228.980.

8. Emerson Fittipaldi, Brazil, No. 9, Penske-Mercedes, 227.816.

9. Scott Pruett, Crystal Bay, Nev., No. 20X, Lola-Ford Cosworth, 227.718.

10. Raul Boesel, Brazil, No. 1, Reynard-Ford Cosworth, 227.561.

11. Michael Andretti, Nazareth, Pa., No. 6X, Lola-Ford Cosworth, 226.602.

12. Christian Fittipaldi, Brazil, No. 11, Lola-Ford Cosworth, 226.246.