Pruett Wins Provisional CART Pole

PORTLAND, Ore. — Scott Pruett’s Reynard Ford Cosworth was easily the best in Friday’s first round of qualifying for Sunday’s Budweiser-G.I. Joe’s 200, putting together the three fastest laps of the day, with a best of 118.834 mph, a track record.

Five drivers bettered the track record of 117.614 mph set by Jacques Villeneuve in 1995.

Rookie Dario Franchitti, whose best Indy-car starting position is fifth, was second Friday in a Mercedes-powered Reynard at 118.260. Gil de Ferran was third in a Reynard Honda at 118.174 and Michael Andretti fourth in a Swift Ford Cosworth at 118.114.

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Ron Hornaday, the defending NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion, won the pole position for the Loadhandler 200 race at the Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. His Chevrolet covered the 0.533-mile oval at 119.910 mph.