Mid-Ohio: Lexus Friday report

ROJAS' FIFTH LEADS THREE LEXUS-POWERED ENTRIES INTO TOP-10 AT MID-OHIO

LEXINGTON, Ohio (June 22, 2007) -- Memo Rojas qualified his #01 Telmex Lexus-Riley fifth overall to lead three Lexus-powered Daytona Prototypes into the top-10 in qualifying for Saturday's EMCO Gears Classic at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

Rojas and teammate Scott Pruett had an impressive day overall as the duo also finished second in each of the days' two practice sessions. The team has some history on its side as the #01 was victorious in the Mid-Ohio event in 2004 and placed second here in 2005. Pruett enters tomorrow's race as the series points leader, while the Chip Ganassi Racing team continues to have the advantage in the Team Championship.

Burt Frisselle also registered a strong qualifying effort today with a seventh in the #61 Exchange Traded Gold Lexus-Riley for AIM Autosport. He'll co-drive with Mark Wilkins on Saturday. Immediately following the AIM duo was the #6 Michael Shank Racing (MSR) Lexus-Riley of John Pew and Ian James in eighth. The MSR car will be going for its fourth straight top-seven finish tomorrow.

Two more Lexus-powered entries finished just outside of the top-10. Mark Patterson placed 11th in the #60 Keybank Lexus-Riley for Michael Shank Racing, while Shane Lewis was 12th in the #3 PLP Lexus-Riley for Southard Motorsports. Patterson will co-drive with long-time teammate Oswaldo Negri and Lewis will pair with Ohio native Randy Ruhlman.

Rob Finlay rounded out the Lexus contingent with a 15th in qualifying in the #19 Z-Line Designs/Make-A-Wish Lexus-Riley for Chip Ganassi Racing. Despite the lower qualifying position, the team has high hopes for tomorrow after Finlay's teammate, Michael Valiante, registered the fastest practice time of the day in the morning session.

-credit: lexus