CART: Montoya Becomes First Rookie in Series History to Win Three Straight

16 May 1999

RIO de JANEIRO, Brazil-- Juan Montoya of Target/Chip Ganassi Racing became the first rookie in FedEx Championship Series history to win three consecutive events Saturday when he captured the GP Telemar Rio 200 on the Emerson Fittipaldi Speedway at Nelson Piquet International Raceway.

In a dramatic move, Montoya (Target Honda Reynard) outbraked front-row starters Christian Fittipaldi (Big Kmart Ford Swift), the pole-sitter, and Dario Franchitti (KOOL Honda Reynard) into Turn 1 on the second of 108 laps and, but for pit stops and some drivers out of sequence, led the remainder of the event. He finished 1.736 seconds ahead of Franchitti and extended his FedEx Championship Series points lead over Franchitti to 14 points (66-51) in the process.

Montoya, who claimed consecutive victories at Long Beach and Nazareth, became the eighth driver in series history to win three consecutive events, a feat which has been accomplished 11 times, including at least once in each of the past three seasons. Both Al Unser Jr. (3) and Alex Zanardi (2) own multiple streaks of three or more victories.

On nine of the 10 occasions on which the feat has been accomplished previously, the driver has gone on to win the FedEx Championship Series championship. Those winners include Rick Mears (1981), Bobby Rahal (1986), Emerson Fittipaldi (1989), Unser Jr. (1990), Michael Andretti (1991), Unser Jr. (twice in 1994) and Zanardi (1997 and 98). The series record for most consecutive wins is four, held by Unser Jr. (90) and Zanardi (98).

Franchittis runner-up effort matched a season best established in Long Beach. He started on the outside pole and maintained a top-three standing for all but 10 laps, but was hampered by a broken shifter in the early stages that made restarts following caution periods troublesome. Despite the problems, he notched his third podium in five starts this season.

Fittipaldi finished third and moved to third in the championship with 49 points. He matched a season-best finish accomplished at Japan and has finished ninth or better in all five of his starts this season.

Fourth place went to Max Papis (Miller Lite Ford Reynard) in a career-best effort, topping fifth in the season opener at Homestead and established at Australia last year. Rounding out the top five was Tony Kanaan (McDonalds Championship Racing Honda Reynard), whose fifth-place effort was a season best and his best overall since third at Houston last year.

WHAT THEYRE SAYING

JUAN MONTOYA, Target Honda Reynard: "[Owner] Chip [Ganassi] said to take it easy at the start, but I saw a chance and I just went for it. After that, it was pretty close. We were all running at the same pace and after the second pit stop, it got a bit exciting. On the last restart, I think we were all pushing our cars to limit, but I got a good restart and was able to stay ahead."

DARIO FRANCHITTI, KOOL Honda Reynard: "I think the start was the turning point of the race. Track position was all-important today. We had a great stop on the first stop, then it was a case of trying to conserve fuel. I was able to go two or three laps more than Juan, which I thought was an advantage. Our biggest problem was on the restarts after my shifter broke on about the third lap. Its nice to have the points, but second is not why were here. I want to be in that [Juan Montoyas] seat."

CHRISTIAN FITTIPALDI, Big Kmart Ford Swift: "I wanted to be as quick as these two guys [Franchitti and Montoya], but you cant have everything. I was definitely quicker on the straights, but not in the corners. The car was good, and it took a long time for the tires to come in, especially after the restarts. Im happy for the points no doubt Juan had a very good race. Im lying third, now Im hoping I can keep this up."

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