Montreal: Conquest Racing Friday notes

GRAHAM RAHAL THIRD AFTER THE FIRST ROUND OF QUALIFYING IN MONTREAL; RYAN LEWIS 18TH

Montreal Quebec, August 25, 2006 -- It was an exciting Champ Car Atlantic qualifying session today as the top spot exchanged hands as the minutes winded down. Graham Rahal who had sat at the top of the charts for most of the session ended the first round of qualifying in third place with a lap time less than two tenths off of provisional pole-sitter and Championship rival Simon Pagenaud's. Britain's Ryan Lewis had to come in for a nose change when he shortcut a chicane and picked up a cone. Lewis finished the session in 18th place and will be looking to make up some ground in the final round of qualifying which takes place tomorrow at 1:10 p.m. eastern.

3rd- Graham Rahal #18 Gehl Company

"The car felt pretty good, I'm not quite sure where we're losing time. We've been up and down this year on Friday's and this one didn't fall our way. We were quickest for most of the session. We had an issue with the engine cover falling off that made things interesting. We still need to find some speed, but we'll get it tomorrow. The track is kind of slippery this year, I was kind of surprised. But it's nice to be back here and I'm enjoying it. It has areas where you have to be on the edge, like the chicanes. It's just nice to be back on a permanent course."

18th -- Ryan Lewis #30 Insport Sports Management

"Obviously qualifying didn't go like I wanted it to. I hit a cone and had to get the nose changed on the car which cost me a little bit of lap time. But that time could have made the difference between being P18 and being in the top-ten. I will have to go out and do better tomorrow."

-credit: mijack conquest racing