The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

CART: Notes from Championship Auto Racing Teams

6 May 1999

PacWest Racing Group driver Mark Blundell was kept overnight for observation at St. Joseph University Hospital in St. Louis on Tuesday following a crash in Turn 3 at Gateway International Raceway during a test session.

Blundell (Motorola PacWest Mercedes) went backward into the Turn 3 wall at approximately 5:50 p.m. CDT and slid along the wall for several hundred feet. He was the final driver on the track following a long day of testing which began at 8 a.m. CDT.

Blundell, a four-year veteran who owns three FedEx Championship Series victories, was conscious throughout the incident, which was caused by a gear selection problem, according to data analysis. He was transported by ambulance to St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Granite City, Ill. where he underwent a CAT scan, which was negative, and was then transferred to St. Louis University Hospital, where he remained overnight. He was listed in fair condition Wednesday afternoon.

Eleven FedEx Championship Series drivers participated in Tuesdays test at Gateway. Unofficially, the time sheets were topped by Jimmy Vasser (Target Honda Reynard), the 1996 FedEx Championship Series champion, and Adrian Fernandez (Tecate/Quaker State/Patrick Racing Ford Reynard), who currently runs second in the championship. Both were clocked at 25.3 seconds (180.71 miles per hour). Paul Tracy (KOOL Honda Reynard), who won the inaugural FedEx Championship Series event contested at Gateway in 1997, was just a tick behind, at 25.4 seconds.

Testing continues today, with participants expected to include rookie and FedEx Championship Series points leader Juan Montoya (Target Honda Reynard), Patrick Racing teammates Fernandez and PJ Jones (Visteon Ford Reynard), Christian Fittipaldi (Big Kmart Ford Swift), Max Papis (Miller Lite Ford Reynard), 1998 FedEx Championship Series Rookie of the Year Tony Kanaan (McDonalds Championship Racing Team Honda Reynard) and veteran Scott Pruett (Pioneer/MCI WorldCom Toyota Reynard).

The test sessions are being held in preparation for the third annual Motorola 300, Round 6 of the FedEx Championship Series, scheduled for May 29 at Gateway.

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.