ATLANTIC, CART, INDYLIGHTS: Team Kool Green at the Grand Prix of Long Beach
16 April 1999
WHAT: Grand Prix of Long Beach - Round 2 of 20 in the CART FedEx Championship SeriesWHEN: April 16 - April 18
WHERE: Long Beach, California
PAUL TRACY, #26 Team KOOL Green Honda/Reynard/Firestone:
(Started 9th / Finished 25th at Long Beach in 1998 ; 17th in the PPG Cup
standings with 2 points)
"I made my first Champ Car start at Long Beach in '91and I got my first win there in '93, so naturally it's one of my favorite races. With the changes to the track and the fact we can't test there, it will be a real challenge for drivers to find the fast line and teams to find the proper setup. Those that do will start up front, which is extremely important on a tight street circuit. For those that don't, it will be a long day trying to catch up. I'm confident that Team KOOL Green will be up front."
DARIO FRANCHITTI , #27 Team KOOL Green Honda/Reynard/Firestone:
(Started 8th / Finished 2nd at Long Beach in 1998 ; 6th in the PPG Cup
standings with 14 points)
"I've already had a sneak preview of the changes in the Long Beach circuit when I visited for a media event last month and I like what the organizers have done. There's more character to the course now and possibly a new passing zone. Team KOOL Green showed last season we were strong on the street circuits and I believe we will pick up right where we left off. Last year's race was a real confidence builder for me (finished 2nd) and it kind of got the ball rolling on a terrific season. Now I need to go a little better, maybe win the race and put myself back up near the top of the championship."
PPG-Dayton Indy Lights Championship
JONNY KANE, #27 Team KOOL Green Lola T97/20:
(7th in standings with 6 points)
"I've been watching the Champ Car races from Long Beach on TV for as long as I can remember, so it's a real thrill for me to actually be racing there. We've only had the one race this year (Miami) but we've done a lot of testing and I've gotten quite comfortable with the car and the Team KOOL Green crew. Now we need to show just how good we are, and a tight little circuit like Long Beach is just the place to do it."
KOOL/Toyota Atlantic Championship
ALEX GURNEY, #27 Team KOOL Green Toyota/Swift:
"I'm trying not to put too much pressure on myself but this is probably the biggest race so far in my career. Everybody in the racing world knows the important role my father (Dan Gurney) played in helping to found the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Now, to me at least, it seems fitting that I should be racing here this weekend in its 25th anniversary. I grew up in Southern California and around this event, so to do well is very important to me."
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