Hinchcliffe, driving for the Forsythe/Petit Team, set a time of 1.17.541 to dominate the field of 20 competitors.
Quebec's Kevin Lacroix finished in second place, very close to Hinchcliffe. Lacroix credited part of his performance to the help of his new driver coach, Alex Tagliani. The teenaged racer, who likes Tagliani, comes from Quebec, said, "For sure, for me, there is still some (speed) to gain". He and many of the other drivers are hoping for an anticipated cooler day for Saturday's final qualifying.
Finnish rookie Markus Niemela, was third quickest Friday while the winner of the Long Beach race, Simona de Silvestro, ranked a low 14th.
The cars are scheduled to take the green flag on Sunday afternoon when the Atlantic Series will have its first appearance at Laguna Seca as the featured race.
Quebec's Kevin Lacroix finished in second place, very close to Hinchcliffe. Lacroix credited part of his performance to the help of his new driver coach, Alex Tagliani. The teenaged racer, who likes Tagliani, comes from Quebec, said, "For sure, for me, there is still some (speed) to gain". He and many of the other drivers are hoping for an anticipated cooler day for Saturday's final qualifying.
Finnish rookie Markus Niemela, was third quickest Friday while the winner of the Long Beach race, Simona de Silvestro, ranked a low 14th.
The cars are scheduled to take the green flag on Sunday afternoon when the Atlantic Series will have its first appearance at Laguna Seca as the featured race.