CART: Bruno Junqueira and Nicolas Minassian prepared for Mexico race

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

What: Grand Prix of Monterrey, round one of the 21-race CART FedEx Championship Series.

When: Sunday, March 11. Broadcast: 4 p.m. Eastern live on ABC-TV. Broadcast live on CART Radio Network affiliates. Coverage of practice, qualifying and the race is also live on CART.com. Qualifying - March 10. Practice - March 9.

Where: The 2.1-mile permanent road course at Monterrey, Mexico's Fundidora Park, on ground formerly occupied by Latin America's first steel mill.

History: Sunday's race marks the first CART FedEx Series event in Monterrey, Mexico.

Fast Facts:

* Team Target's rookie drivers, Bruno Junqueira and Nicolas Minassian, replace Juan Montoya, the 1999 CART champion, and Jimmy Vasser, the 1996 CART champion.

* Junqueira claimed the 2000 European F3000 Series championship, earning four victories. Minassian was runner-up to his new teammate, claiming three checkered flags.

* Target Chip Ganassi Racing won 34 of the 92 CART FedEx Series events from 1996 through 2000.

* Team Target has claimed four CART FedEx Series championships (1996-1999).

* Former Team Target driver Juan Montoya won the 2000 Indianapolis 500, his first-ever race at the famed oval. Team Target announced on March 5 it would return to Indianapolis in 2001 to defend its title.

* Team Target drivers have claimed 31 of the 92 pole positions since 1996.

* In addition to two new drivers, Team Target adds Dave Higuera as new chief mechanic for Nicolas Minassian and Scott Harner as team manager/race operations. In addition, Mike Hull will serve as the team's managing director in 2001.

* For the fifth consecutive season, Target Chip Ganassi Racing will raise money for Target House at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital by donating $5,000 for victory, $1,000 for each pole position and $25 for each lap led. The team has donated more than $230,000 since 1997. TEAM TARGET ROOKIES READY TO RACE
Junqueira and Minassian reveal thoughts on upcoming season

Monterey, Calif. - Target Chip Ganassi Racing rookie drivers Bruno Junqueira and Nicolas Minassian make their CART FedEx Series debut in Sunday's Grand Prix of Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico. The talented duo recently revealed their thoughts about the upcoming race, adjusting to life in the U.S. and driving for the team a has won four of the last five FedEx Series championships and the 2000 Indy 500.

Q: What's on your mind heading into the season opener in Monterrey?

Bruno Junqueira: "I really want to race well, especially for the guys who worked hard all winter during our off-season testing. Team Target has done a good job preparing the Toyota-Lola, and I'm confident we can go to Monterrey and have an opportunity to win."

Nicolas Minassian: "I am ready to get in the car right now!(laughs) Like Bruno, I am very confident going into the season opener, and I can't tell you how happy I am that the season is almost ready to begin."

Q: What are your impressions of the team so far?

Nicolas: "Target Chip Ganassi Racing is a very professional, first-class organization. It's like a big family. There's a lot of motivation to succeed, and it's easy to see why they have had so much success. Even though it is a very big team, everyone works together for one goal, which is to win the championship."

Q: What tracks are you looking forward to visiting this year?

Bruno: "Elkhart Lake. No question about it. It has everything that I like in a track. Elevation changes, fast corners and plenty of places to pass. I can't wait to get there! Also, I am very excited about racing at Indianapolis. I'll never forget back in 1989, when Emerson Fittipaldi won the Indy 500. I was 12 years old, watching that race thinking, I want to race there and win, too."

Q: Which of you is the better diver?

Bruno: (Laughs)"That's me, of course."

Nicolas: "No, Bruno, I am (laughs). The problem with Bruno is that he drives too slow on the road. I call him Mr. Lightfoot. He never goes more than 60 miles an hour on the highway."(laughs)

Q: Has it been difficult to adjust from being rivals last year to teammates this year?

Nicolas: "No, it is great. We are working very well together. We know that helping each other is only going to make us, and the team, better. We have always respected each other on and off the track, and that has made our relationship very strong."

Bruno: "I agree with Nicolas. Even tough we are teammates this year, we are still rivals on the tennis court. And I can beat him at tennis." (laughs)

Text Provided By Brian Zepp

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