Hi Jake,
Of course NASCAR doesn't give any cash prises or recognition for fast laps during practice. Practice is just that, PRACTICE.
As far as Fossett's effort in the Round The World Race goes, his talked about advantage prior to the race was that his boat was the oldest and had the most sailing/testing hours on it and was supposed to be the most dependable. But, his boat was out the second day. That shows you what the experts now.
Playstation sails distance races against the clock because that is what it was built for; to try to better existing records over major distances in the oceans of this world.
Over at Texel the guys are attempting to break the elapsed time record for the rounding of the Isle of Texel, ~60 miles as I remember. If successful they are the record holder of the minimum ET that was set on a non raceday in ideal conditions. On raceday there is another record holder of minimum ET and this minimum ET is set during a real race with 500+ boats and with a real start in whatever sailing conditions the weather brings etc. racing around the Isle of Texel. Does this make alot of sense to you? It leaves me dizzy wondering which way is up and what's going on. How and why are there two record holders of minimum ET for sailing around the same island on the same course?
Bill