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CART: Australian Champ Car fans to get first taste fo championship chase at Honda Indy 300

14 October 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
DETROIT- There's plenty of excitement to begin with when the FedEx Championship Series makes its annual visit to Australia. This year, for the first time in the event's nine-year history, the PPG Cup will be on the line as well.

Heading into the Honda Indy 300 (Saturday, Oct. 16, midnight, live, ESPN), the 19th of 20 rounds in the championship, rookie Juan Montoya of Target/Chip Ganassi Racing and Dario Franchitti of Team KOOL Green are locked in a pitched battle for the FedEx Championship Series crown. Montoya (Target Honda Reynard) holds a 13-point lead, 200-187, and could clinch the title by exiting Australia with a 22-point advantage.

In previous years, the championship has never been at stake in Australia, mostly due to the event's position on the schedule. For the first seven years of its existence, the annual Champ Car extravaganza at Surfers Paradise on Queensland's Gold Coast was among the first three races contested in the season.

Last year, the Honda Indy was moved to the fall, and Alex Zanardi had already clinched his second PPG Cup when it arrived on the calendar. This year, the Australians, who regularly turn out in droves - as evidenced by the 95,901 who witnessed Zanardi's victory last year - may be treated to something they've never witnessed first-hand, the possible coronation of the FedEx Championship Series champion.

While Montoya, the rookie marvel who leads the series with seven victories and seven pole positions, was able to maintain the upper hand following Round 18 in Houston, Franchitti was able to close considerable ground. Franchitti's runner-up effort, his series-high 10th podium finish of the season, allowed him to trim a 29-point deficit (200-171) entering the event when Montoya exited early due to contact with Helio Castro-Neves (Hogan Motor Leasing, Inc. Mercedes Lola).

That sets the stage for Round 19 on the 2.795-mile temporary street circuit at Surfers Paradise. The eight previous Honda Indys have produced eight different winners, four of whom will be in this year's field.

Two of those, Michael Andretti (Kmart/Texaco/Havoline Ford Swift), who won in 1994, and Paul Tracy (KOOL Honda Reynard), who won the following year, are battling for third place in the championship. Tracy currently holds the position, with 155 points to 141 for Andretti, and both are coming off outstanding performances. Tracy drove to his second victory of the season in dominant fashion at Houston while Andretti finished third.

Other previous winners in this year's field include Jimmy Vasser (Target Honda Reynard) and Scott Pruett (Pioneer/MCI WorldCom Toyota Reynard)). Vasser won in 1996 while Pruett was victorious the following season.

Following the Honda Indy 300, the FedEx Championship Series returns stateside for its season finale, the Marlboro 500 Presented by Toyota, Sunday, Oct. 31 at California Speedway in Fontana, Calif.

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