Miami's plan: 3 races, 2 days, 1 track

MIAMI Tim Reynolds writing for the AP reported that for the first time, the CART and American Le Mans series are sharing top billing at the same venue on the same weekend.

This weekend's Grand Prix of the Americas in Miami is a dual-headline event, with the American Le Mans Series on Saturday and the CART race Sunday. There's also a Trans-Am race following CART on Sunday afternoon.

"This is going to be a road-racing spectacular unlike we've seen anywhere else," CART spokesman Adam Saal said. "There's not many markets where you could do this race, with three premier series racing all on one road course."

When the event was announced last December, organizers said they secured the ALMS and Trans-Am events. CART was not planning to visit Miami in 2002.

But after a court injunction postponed the original Grand Prix, which was scheduled for April, local organizers were able to persuade CART to sign on with the two other series for an October event.

"They're international, they're sophisticated, they're cool cars," event president Chuck Martinez said. "That's what we're going to present with this event."

MIAMI VETERANS: There are five drivers entered in Sunday's race who have CART experience on the streets of Miami, all coming from the series' last visit to the city in 1995.

Christian Fittipaldi finished fifth in that race, which was his debut in what was then known as the PPG Indy Car series. Jimmy Vasser finished eighth and Adrian Fernandez placed 11th.

But Michael Andretti and Paul Tracy don't have the best memories from that event, which kicked off the 1995 season. Andretti started on the pole and led the first 48 laps, but an accident on lap 49 ended his day. Tracy started fifth, but another accident forced him out after just one lap.

Andretti said he was excited to be back in Miami.

"In 1995 the fans were awesome, really supportive," Andretti said. "It's definitely a racing town. It's nice to look in the stands and see them packed. It gives you a good feeling. That's what it's about."

CART driver Kenny Brack wasn't in that race seven years ago, but he isn't a first-timer in Miami, either. Brack debuted in the Zerex Saab Pro Series on a downtown Miami course in February 1993, and won the 30-minute race to take home a $10,000 first prize.

"That was the first race I ever did in the United States," Brack said. "Miami's a great town."

NO LOVE FOR ROSIE: One of Miami's celebrity residents, former talk show host Rosie O'Donnell, may not exactly feel compelled to attend any Grand Prix events - especially if she hears comments made by Trans-Am driver Paul Gentilozzi after his Friday morning practice session.

Gentilozzi was asked about the difficult track conditions on Miami's temporary course. His reply:

"How bad is it? Well, bad is a relative term. If you were married to Rosie O'Donnell that would be bad, but this is worse than that," Gentilozzi said.

MAYOR HOPEFUL: Miami mayor Manny Diaz hasn't said he's rooting for Cristiano da Matta to secure the CART series points championship on Sunday, but admits the chance of a title-clincher is helping the inaugural event's prestige.

"The stars and the moons are aligned," Diaz said. "Everything has kind of come together very nicely. That's why I fought so hard for this thing to happen."

To clinch the title, da Matta needs to outscore Bruno Junqueira by 10 points and Dario Franchitti by three in Miami. Drivers can win a maximum of 23 points over the weekend.

SPARK PLUGS: Official measurements of the course showed that it was considerably shorter than the original plan of 1.57 miles. It is 1.387 miles in length¼ For the first time since they turned professional, brothers Dario and Marino Franchitti are racing at the same venue on the same weekend. Dario Franchitti is third in the CART standings; Marino Franchitti is racing in the ALMS GTS event Saturday.