Houston Saturday Qualifying Notes

Texaco Grand Prix of Houston - Saturday Toyota Atlantics qualifying October 3, 1998 - Houston, Texas Mike Stucker - Motorsport News International

Final qualifying for Sunday's Toyota Atlantic race began at 11:15 AM. Weather conditions at the 1.527 mile (track length corrected from 1.68 miles by Omega Timing) were partly cloudy, humid, and warm. There was only one stoppage during the session as Scott Wood, a local Houston racer encountered suspension problems and had to be towed off course. When qualifying ended, Alex Tagliani had set fastest time at 1:07.979 for an average speed of 80.866 mph, and will sit on pole for tomorrows race. Second fastest was Anthony Lazzaro at 108.194 and 80.611 mph. Third on the grid tomorrow will be Nicolas Rondet.

Buddy Rice, who is battling Andrew Bordin for "KOOL Rookie of the Year" honors, will not participate in the race as he is recovering from appendectomy surgery he underwent earlier this week.