Free Prix Day: Quick updates from Belle Isle

Rochester Hills racer Aaron Bambach finished a solid fifth in the first race of three in the Speed Energy Formula Off-Road Traxxas Trucks series today at Belle Isle.

Bambach, a former open-wheel and GT driver, kept winner and former NASCAR regular Robby Gordon in his sights during the event that featured jumps on the straights around the 2.3-mile course.

EJ Viso, a former IndyCar Series charger, was second. Third was Burt Jenner.

Earlier at Belle Isel, Brazilian-born veteran Tony Kanaan posted the fastest lap in the first practice session for the Verizon IndyCar Series drivers during Free Prix Day.

Kanaan, who runs the No. 10 Chevrolet/Dallara for Chip Ganassi Racing, recorded a lap of 1 minute 16.2931 seconds (110.888 m.p.h.) around the 2.3-mile track in preparation for Saturday's Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix.

Qualifying was this afternoon, with Will Power securing pole position for Saturday's race.

Kanaan was slightly quicker than rookie Ganassi teammate Sage Karam, who recorded the second-fastest lap (1:16.4935) in his No. 8 Chevy/Dallara. Karam spun out on the next, bringing out a caution flag.

Team Penske ace Will Power was third-fastest in practice (1:16.7693) in the No. Chevy/Dallara. Team Penske swept last year's doubleheader, with Power winning Dual 1 and Helio Castroneves capturing Dual 2 for Roger Penske.

Last weekend's Indy 500 winner, Juan Pablo Montoya, managed only the 10th-quickest time (1:17.2332) in the No. 2 Chevy/Dallara for Team Penske.

Pirelli World Challenge and TUDOR sports cars took to the track earlier in the day, under blue skies following rain earlier on the 2.3-mile circuit.

Contact Mike Brudenell: mbrudenell@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mikebrudenell.