MARLBORO 500

THE FACTS

* When: Noon today, ESPN

* Where: California Speedway (d-shaped oval, 2 miles, 14 degrees banking in turns), Fontana.

* Race distance: 500 miles, 250 laps.

* Last year: Jimmy Vasser beat Greg Moore in a final-lap shootout. Moore had beaten Vasser on the final lap of the U.S. 500 in similar fashion earlier in the season.

* It’s a fact: Mark Blundell won the inaugural race in 1997 when Moore’s car slowed because of engine problems with 11 laps left. . . . Bobby Rahal made his final career start in last year’s race, finishing 11th.

THE LINEUP

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P. Driver Car Qualifying Speed 1. Scott Pruett Toyota Reynard 235.398 2. Max Papis Ford Reynard 234.544 3. Juan Montoya Honda Reynard 234.251 4. Jimmy Vasser Honda Reynard 234.063 5. Bryan Herta Ford Reynard 233.913 6. Michael Andretti Ford Swift 233.256 7. Patrick Carpentier Mercedes Reynard 233.226 8. Dario Franchitti Honda Reynard 233.174 9. Christian Fittipaldi Ford Swift 232.988 10. Al Unser Jr. Mercedes Penske 232.899 11. Tony Kanaan Honda Reynard 232.839 12. Gil de Ferran Honda Reynard 232.713 13. Adrian Fernandez Ford Reynard 232.535 14. Alex Barron Mercedes Penske 232.410 15. Robby Gordon Toyota Eagle 232.387 16. Cristiano da Matta Toyota Reynard 232.365 17. Mauricio Gugelmin Mercedes Reynard 232.166 18. Mark Blundell Mercedes Reynard 231.886 19. Paul Tracy Honda Reynard 231.064 20. Helio Castro-Neves Mercedes Lola 230.896 21. Richie Hearn Toyota Reynard 220.328 22. Naoki Hattori Honda Reynard 229.474 23. PJ Jones Ford Swift 229.446 24. Dennis Vitolo Ford Reynard 228.120 25. Raul Boesel Toyota Eagle 227.134 26. Michel Jourdain Jr. Ford Lola 226.493 27. Greg Moore Mercedes Reynard no time

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