Kanaan tops Barber test

The 32-year-old Andretti-Green driver, who finished third in the championship this season behind Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon, lapped the track in 1:09.743 seconds on what was the series' maiden visit to the circuit.

Second on the timesheets, half a second behind Kanaan, was Helio Castroneves, of Penske Racing, but the Brazilian was debuting one of a number of new additions to the cars for next season, a variable ratio steering rack.

"It seems to be a little better on the high speed turns," Castroneves said.

Kiwi Dixon was third quickest while debuting a paddle-shift gearbox, the like of which will be permitted for use on road courses next season, although not ovals.

"In the race, you won't have people making as many mistakes (as using the sequential shift gearbox off the driver's right thigh)," said the Ganassi driver.

"People who were losing speed because they weren't as good with their technique and downshifting will improve their lap times quite a bit. It will make it a lot easier for them.

"I prefer the sequential box that we had, but for safety and technology it's definitely the way to go. I think there's still room for improvement by smoothing out the shifts."

Fourth fastest was his British team-mate Dan Wheldon, with Vitor Meira's Panther car and the AGR machines of Marco Andretti and Danica Patrick also on-track and completing more than 40 laps each.

Wheldon, the 2005 champion, was extremely impressed with the Alabama circuit.

"They said the track officials wanted our opinions in what we would do to change the track to race here," he said.

"Honestly, I don't think they need to change a thing. They said it's too narrow, but it isn't any more narrow than anywhere else we race. It's a beautiful facility. I'm impressed. If it's up to drivers if we race here or not, then I'm all for racing here. Let's do it."