MONTREAL - Veteran Max Papis had the quickest lap, while Canadians Patrick Carpentier and Andrew Rangers were also fast in a rain-shortened practice Saturday at the NASCAR Nationwide series event at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

All times were set early in the first of two scheduled sessions. The first was interrupted for 40 minutes by heavy rain and the second was cancelled as teams waited in vain for the track to dry in order to work on dry tires.

Papis, driving a Chevrolet for Phoenix Racing, completed the 2.7-mile road course in one minute 53.888 seconds.

Jason Leffler took his Great Chips Toyota around in 1:54.295, while Carpentier's NAPA Toyota was third best in 1:55.807 and Ranger's Ridemakerz Toyota was fourth in 1:56.028.

Carpentier, of Joliette, Que., finished second at the first two Nationwide events held in Montreal, including last year's race that was cut short after 48 laps due to heavy rain. Ranger, of Roxton Pond, Que., is in his second NAPA Auto Parts 200.

Defending champion Ron Fellows of Toronto was eighth-best in his Fastenal Chevrolet while 1997 Formula One champ Jacques Villeneuve of Montreal was 16th among the 45 cars on track.