Did Toyota think USGP would not be run?

If Indy's ill fated grand prix had enjoyed a twenty car grid, pole sitter Jarno Trulli would have pitted on lap-2. According to ITV, when the Italian qualified with three laps of fuel on board, his Michelin clad team already knew Sunday's race was a no-go. ITV pit reporter Ted Kravitz wrote: ''How did they know? Because they now employ Pascal Vasselon, ex-Michelin … manager.'' And, with all the pre-race talk of a chicane, ''(He) is probably now a very relieved man.''

Kravitz said Vasselon's contacts back at Michelin would have told him that there was no way bosses were going to green light the race. ''So, with that knowledge,'' Ted continued, ''they sent Trulli out to grab the pole.''