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

CART: De Ferran's Fuel Gamble Pays Off With Victory at Portland

21 June 1999

PORTLAND, Ore. - Walker Racing's Gil de Ferran utilized a high-rolling, pit-stop strategy Sunday at Portland International Raceway and had the gamble pay off in long odds as he captured the Budweiser/G.I. Joe's 200 Presented by Texaco/Havoline for his first win since 1996.

While de Ferran's chief competitors Juan Montoya and Dario Franchitti were playing the fuel conservation game to complete the 98-lap event in two pit stops, team owner Derrick Walker opted for de Ferran to utilize all the horsepower of his Valvoline/Cummins Special Honda Reynard. The theory behind the fuel-guzzling move would be that de Ferran could build an insurmountable lead and a late third pit stop for a splash of fuel while the other competitors remained out would not foil the victory plans.

The strategy worked to perfection as de Ferran bolted to a commanding 29.024-second cushion over Montoya, the FedEx Championship Series points leader who was situated in second, with nine laps remaining and then headed to the pits for fuel. The Walker Racing pit crew performed solidly and de Ferran exited the pits with an 11.656-second advantage over Montoya. He then rolled to a 4.393-second win for his third career triumph and first since Cleveland in 1996, a span of 49 races between victories.

De Ferran, who averaged a race record 107.457 miles per hour, led the final 39 laps of a race-high 43 en route to the first win for Walker Racing since Robby Gordon won at Detroit in 1995. It also was the first victory for Goodyear tires since Michael Andretti won the 1998 season opener at Homestead.

De Ferran led a Honda charge in which the engine manufacturer swept the top three finishing positions - matching its first podium sweep in its history established at Houston last year - and four of the top five.

Montoya (Target Reynard Honda) notched his fourth podium effort of the season and seventh points-paying finish in eight starts with the runner-up performance. The finish also allowed him to maintain the FedEx Championship points lead he gained following his victory at Nazareth in Round 4. Montoya entered Sunday's Round 8 event with a two-point lead and exited with a five-point advantage, 90-85, over Franchitti.

Franchitti (KOOL Honda Reynard) kept Montoya within his sights by capturing the final podium spot. The third-place finish was his fifth podium and seventh top-eight effort in eight events.

Adrian Fernandez (Tecate/Quaker State/Patrick Racing Ford Reynard) thwarted Honda's drive for a top-five sweep with a fourth-place effort. Team KOOL Green had a strong overall outing, coupling Franchitti's third place with a fifth-place effort by Paul Tracy (KOOL Honda Reynard).

Following Montoya (90) and Franchitti (85) in the FedEx Championship Series points race are de Ferran with 71, Greg Moore (Player's Forsythe Racing Mercedes Reynard) with 69 and Fernandez with 65.

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.