Vasser 3rd-fastest at Indy with lap of 221.773 mph

Wednesday, May 17, 2000 | 10:42 a.m.

SUN STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

Jimmy Vasser of Las Vegas led Southern Nevada drivers with a lap of 221.773 mph Tuesday in preparation for the May 28 Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Vasser, driving the Target/Chip Ganassi Racing GForce/OldsmobileV8, had the third-fastest lap on the fourth day of practice.

"I'm pretty pleased with the car, coming out and really only making changes for a half day," Vasser said. "We're still working on the car, so I'm sure (today) will look a little different. But overall, I'm pretty happy."

Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Jr. was 12th-fastest Tuesday with a lap of 220.017 in the Galles ECR Racing Gforce/OldsmobileV8. Rain interrupted practice for 2 1/2 hours Tuesday.

Davey Hamilton of Las Vegas was 14th-fastest Tuesday among the 36 cars on the track with a lap of 219.593 in the Team Xtreme GForce/OldsmobileV8. "We are gaining on it, but the car is not 100 percent yet," he said.

A disappointed Richie Hearn of Henderson only went 15 laps in the Pagan Racing IRL Dallara/OldsmobileV8. His fastest lap was barely over 200 mph for the second consecutive day.

Jimmy Kite, driving for car owner and part-time Las Vegan Ed Rachanaski, did not get on the track Tuesday. The Blueprint Racing team installed a qualifying engine Tuesday and continued to install a new aerodynamics package on the GForce/OldsmobileV8.