CLEVELAND GRAND PRIX Tracy takes provisional pole in first qualifying session

It guaranteed him a front-row start in Saturday's CART feature race.
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Tempers were short in the afternoon heat Thursday as drivers jockeyed on a slick, bumpy track during the first day of qualifying at the CART Cleveland Grand Prix.
Hopefully, things will cool down once the sun sets.
"A bit scrappy, wasn't it?" said rookie Darren Manning.
Paul Tracy, CART's season series points leader, won the provisional pole after some testy qualifying for Saturday's race, which will be run at night for the first time in 22 years.
Tracy, who won the season's first three events, turned a lap in 58.40 seconds, nearly one-half second ahead of his Players' teammate and defending champion Patrick Carpentier (58.86). Rookie Sebastien Bourdais was third (59.16).
By winning the provisional pole, Tracy picked up one point in the standings -- his 100th -- and is guaranteed a front-row start Saturday when drivers will be running under temporary lights set up alongside the 2.106-mile, 10-turn course on the runways of Burke Lakefront Airport.
"I think it's great," Tracy said of night racing.
"If you haven't seen it yet, it's very exciting."
Tracy, Carpentier and Boudrais all spun off the track during the 40-minute provisional pole session, which was held in the late afternoon with muggy temperatures in the mid-80s and about four hours before sunset.
There were two practice sessions Thursday night.
Qualifying resumes today
Today, qualifying will take place from 8:30-9:30 p.m., which will give drivers a much better idea of what they'll be facing on Saturday when the course is illuminated by 21 lighting trucks.
"I hope it's not going to be pitch black," Tracy joked.
Tracy wasn't laughing when he did a 360-degree spin and briefly left the track while coming out of turn 4. He also angered Michel Jourdain, who accused Tracy of blocking.
"I am very, very, disappointed with Paul," said Jourdain, currently third in the points standings. "Every lap he backed out [slowed down] before the last chicane when I was coming. When he finished his run, I had one timed lap left, and he parked it in the first chicane.
"It just kills me that nothing is being done about this."
Carpentier, too, lost control and spun out into the infield grass.
While making his way back, he cut in front of Jimmy Vasser, who is eighth after the first round of qualifying.
That didn't sit well with Jourdain, either.
"I am not sure what strategy Players is running, but they are out there blocking everyone," Jourdain said.
"It is frustrating. It isn't like this is a new thing with them. Paul had exactly the same problem with a lot of drivers at Portland."
Second night race
This is CART's second night race this season.
In May, the series ran the Milwaukee Mile under the lights to rave reviews.
However, that was on a 1-mile oval, where drivers only had to worry about making four left turns.
"It will be interesting to see if some of the guys who go off course can find their way back," Carpentier quipped.