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F2000: Charlotte's Banks Beckon F2000 Stars

27 April 1999

This weekend's US Formula 2000 National Championship races at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C. are expected to continue the tradition of close, competitive racing the 1.6-mile "modified" oval has produced in recent years.

Marc-Antoine Camirand of St. Leonard d'Aston, Quebec, Canada will try to continue his success in the 1999 series after winning the March 28 opener at Phoenix, Ariz. This weekend's two 30-lap feature races will, like Phoenix, count toward the Pep Boys Indy Racing League's "Oval Crown" Championship, which Camirand leads.

Charlotte's weekend schedule includes F2000 practice from 2-3 pm Friday, followed by qualifying from 5-6. Friday's 30-lap feature gets he green flag at 8 pm. On Saturday, a warm-up session is slated from 12:30-1:15 pm and qualifying is set from 3-4 pm. Saturday's 30-lapper starts at 6 pm. Last year's Charlotte races have been acclaimed as among the most exciting in motorsports history, both won by Ryan Hampton, who holds the track record of 130.998 mph. Countless lead changes occurred around the oval in the hotly-contested events.

One of the two races held at Charlotte in 1997 produced an amazing 16 different "official" starting-line lead changes in 30 laps!

USAC/SCCA FORMULA 2000 CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

1. Marc-Antoine Camirand 32
2. Dan Wheldon 25
3. Steve Rikert 22
4. Larry Wood 19
5. Mark Dismore, Jr. 17
6. Tom Wood 15
7. Aaron Justus 14
8. Rolando Quintanilla 13
9. Daniel Muniz 12
10. Jonathan Bottoms 11

Editors Note: For hundreds of hot racing photos and racing art, be sure to visit The Racing ImageGalleries and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.