CART: First Lap Crash Mars Toyota Hopes At Motegi

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

May 19, 2001

- A first-lap accident in today's race seriously damaged hopes for a Toyota victory as each of the manufacturer's top two qualifying cars - Bruno Junqueira (Target Toyota) and Cristiano da Matta (Texaco/Havoline Toyota) - were knocked out of the race on Lap 1. Neither driver was injured.

- After being caught up in the first-lap incident, Cristiano da Matta relinquished the CART points lead for the first time this season after leading since his victory in the season-opening race at Monterrey. The 1998 Indy Lights champ now is in a tie for third-place overall.

- Jimmy Vasser's fifth-place finish is his third top-five of the season. He's yet to finish below sixth this year. He moves into a tie with da Matta for third in the FedEx Championship point standings.

- Christian Fittipaldi's fourth-place finish marks his best finish of the season and his second consecutive top-five showing after a fifth at Nazareth. Fittipaldi has now climbed into eighth in the driver's championship points race.

- After winning his first Champ Car race at Nazareth in the previous round, Scott Dixon earned his second straight points-paying finish with a ninth today. Dixon also led one lap today - the third race he's led in four starts. In addition, Dixon moves into sixth-place in the driver's championship.

- Robero Moreno's 10th-place finish is his best of the 2001 campaign and gives the Brazilian his third points-paying finish in four races this season.

- Four Toyota drivers finished in the top-10 today and Mauricio Gugelmin's 12th place showing gave the manufacturer a race-high five drivers in the points.

- A series-high four Toyota-powered drivers now rank in the top eight in the CART drivers points.

- While the CART FedEx Championship Series is off next weekend, three Toyota-powered Champ Car drivers will be in action - as Jimmy Vasser, Bruno Junqueira and Nicolas Minassian all will drive for Target Chip Ganassi Racing at the Indianapolis 500. Toyota will be making its Indy 500 debut as an engine manufacturer in 2003.

Text provided by John Prodica

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