IRL: Will Power and Raphael Matos on top in Toronto

Returnee Will Power had a great Friday as he returned to active duty with Penske by setting the pace in the Friday morning practice in Toronto while an impressive Raphael Matos (Luczo Dragon) finished on top in the afternoon's session.

Will Power

Having slipped to 19th in the standings during his absence, Power was eligible for the extra half hour of practice for rookies and drivers outside the top ten in the championship.

The Australian won the last Champ Car race in Toronto in 2007.

Matos, who knew the circuit thanks to his Atlantic days, was the one who set the fastest time at the end of the day although Power was also able to improve on his pace in the afternoon.

Local hero Paul Tracy was quick from the outset as he ended up fifth for KV Racing in the morning.

Things did not worked out as well in the afternoon  however as he had to settle for 13th, having had a spin on the exit of Turn 1 along the way.

The other Canadian present, Alex Tagliani (Conquest), ended up 13th in the morning and did managed to lower his time in the afternoon but, unfortunately, nevertheless slipped down to 17th.

All the championship's main contenders finished their day of work in the Top 10.

All but Danica Patrick (AGR) who had a terrible day, only managing the slowest time in the first practice while spinning on the exit of the corner and sliding broadside into the barriers in the afternoon.

Toronto Morning Practice

Pos Driver Team Time Gap
1. Will Power Penske 1m02.1733s
2. Raphael Matos Luczo Dragon 1m02.2975s + 0.1242s
3. Scott Dixon Ganassi 1m02.3324s + 0.1591s
4. Ryan Briscoe Penske 1m02.3556s + 0.1823s
5. Paul Tracy KV 1m02.3930s + 0.2197s
6. Tony Kanaan Andretti Green 1m02.4499s + 0.2766s
7. Dario Franchitti Ganassi 1m02.4964s + 0.3231s
8. Helio Castroneves Penske 1m02.5057s + 0.3324s
9. Robert Doornbos Newman/Haas/Lanigan 1m02.5742s + 0.4009s
10. Graham Rahal Newman/Haas/Lanigan 1m02.5765s + 0.4032s
11. Ryan Hunter-Reay Foyt 1m02.6661s + 0.4928s
12. Justin Wilson Coyne 1m02.6748s + 0.5015s
13. Alex Tagliani Conquest 1m02.6923s + 0.5190s
Etc.

Toronto Afternoon Practice

Pos Driver Team Time Gap
1. Raphael Matos Luczo Dragon 1m01.4739s
2. Justin Wilson Coyne 1m01.7627s + 0.2888s
3. Will Power Penske 1m01.7722s + 0.2983s
4. Robert Doornbos Newman/Haas/Lanigan 1m01.8386s + 0.3647s
5. Ryan Briscoe Penske 1m01.8420s + 0.3681s
6. Dario Franchitti Ganassi 1m01.9237s + 0.4498s
7. Helio Castroneves Penske 1m01.9364s + 0.4625s
8. Scott Dixon Ganassi 1m01.9617s + 0.4878s
9. Graham Rahal Newman/Haas/Lanigan 1m02.0027s + 0.5288s
10. Tony Kanaan Andretti Green 1m02.0044s + 0.5305s
...
13. Paul Tracy KV 1m02.3653s + 0.8914s
...
17. Alex Tagliani Conquest 1m02.7255s + 1.2516s
Etc.