CHAMPCAR/CART: Team Herdez Houston Saturday Qualifying

Herdez-backed driver Memo Gidley hit a tire barrier in Turn 8, early in final qualifying for the Texaco Grand Prix of Houston. The driver was not injured, but his steering arm and rear wing were damaged. Gidley placed 25th with a lap of 61.662 seconds at 89.151 Mph.

Gidley's teammate in the Herdez/Payton-Coyne Racing Team, Michel Jourdain Jr. took 21st spot on the grid with a time of 60.835 seconds at 90.362 Mph.

Memo Gidley, Car #71 Herdez/Payton-Coyne Racing Team: "The car felt pretty good, but I kick myself for making a mistake. We've started in the back before and worked our way up. During the accident, I just got loose and spun around. We will have to work again on the setup of the car."

Michel Jourdain Jr., Car #19 Herdez/Payton-Coyne Racing Team: "We improved our times, but not enough. I am worried mainly about the brakes. We still have problems with them. Also, the balance of the car is not great; in some areas it develops push and in some it is still loose."