Goodyear leads first Firestone heroes practice.

Scott Goodyear placed second twice in two of the closest Indianapolis 500 finishes in history, but second wasn't in his vocabulary on Friday morning as he paced the first practice session for the Firestone Heroes of Indy race at Texas Motor Speedway.

Goodyear, runner-up in the 1992 and 1997 Indianapolis classics, posted a lap of 17.21secs late in the half-hour practice session, eclipsing three-time Indy 500 winner Johnny Rutherford, who had held the top spot through most of practice with a 17.22secs run. Parnelli Jones, the 1963 winner of 'the greatest spectacle in racing', was third on the list with a 17.45secs lap.

"The competitive spirit is certainly alive in all of these legends," commented speedway general manager Eddie Gossage following the practice, "Every driver shaved more than a second off their early practice times during the 30-minute session. Their desire to win is unquestioned. The fans are in for a real treat Sunday."

Gossage announced that the starting line-up for Sunday afternoon's 25- lap race would be determined by age, oldest to youngest. Lloyd Ruby will start on the pole for the Firestone Heroes of Indy, with fellow Texan Jim McElreath to start alongside on row one.

A trio of four-time Indy 500 winners will officiate Sunday's race. AJ Foyt will serve as the grand marshal, Al Unser will drive the pace car while Rick Mears will be the event's flagman.

The Firestone Heroes of Indy pits ten of the greatest drivers in Indianapolis 500 history against each other driving identically-prepared Thunder Roadsters. The Heroes weekend is being contested on the quarter-mile asphalt oval incorporating the frontstretch and pit lane at Texas Motor Speedway.

Firestone Heroes of Indy - starting line-up:

1. Lloyd Ruby
2. Jim McElreath
3. Parnelli Jones
4. Gordon Johncock
5. Johnny Rutherford
6. Bill Vukovich II
7. Tom Sneva
8. Pancho Carter
9. Arie Luyendyk
10. Scott Goodyear