Juan Pablo Montoya has qualified second for the ARCA RE/MAX Series race at Talladega, behind veteran Bobby Gerhart, who lapped the track at 189.485mph. Montoya's speed was 189.451 mph - an impressive start for an oval racing newcomer.

Japan GP: Practice notes - Renault

The second practice session for the Japanese GP took place with a drying track and the hope that the rains that have blighted the Suzuka region thus far have finally cleared and the rest of the weekend will be dry and perhaps even sunny.

Red Bull Racing's drivers struggled in the wet conditions at Suzuka today. While third driver Michael Ammermueller eventually went twelfth, David Coulthard and Robert Doornbos did little running finishing 22nd and 25th respectively.

Japanese GP - Practice 2 Results

After completing just a single installation lap each during the morning session, Fernando Alonso and Giancarlo Fisichella completed five and eight laps respectively this afternoon in drying conditions at Suzuka. Both drivers were able to run with dry tyres, Fisichella finishing fastest and Alonso fourth, while Fisichella also completed a single run earlier in the afternoon on intermediate tyres - also topping the times at that point of the session.

Champion can expect his engine to run at 120% potential at key points in Japan.

Juan Pablo Montoya has qualified himself in second position for his stock-car debut race at the Talladega Superspeedway (US). Montoya is the first Formula 1 driver to join NASCAR fulltime next season.

Japan GP: Friday Free 2 - Times

Giancarlo Fisichella set the fastest time on Friday in today's second free practice session. The Renault driver was right ahead of Ferrari driver Felipe Massa. While it was still raining during the first session it was dry in the second session.

Renault's man says the events of China will have "zero effect" on Suzuka race.

Fisi quickest as title fight shapes up