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CART: De Ferran Hails Retiring Dallenbach

26 October 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Sunday's (Oct. 31) Marlboro 500 at California Speedway not only marks the end of the FedEx Championship Series, but also the conclusion of Wally Dallenbach's almost 20-year tenure as CART's chief steward. Gil de Ferran, driver of the Valvoline/Cummins Honda-Reynard, has dealt with Dallenbach since 1995 -- when de Ferran was CART's Rookie of the Year -- and offers his thoughts on Dallenbach's announced retirement.

"I have a lot of respect for the guy," said de Ferran, who won at Portland earlier this season and has two poles in the Valvoline Special. "He's got the toughest job in the world, because he's always making a call against somebody, so he's going to be the bad guy in somebody's eyes all the time. His job is to make difficult judgments and difficult decisions and he knows his decisions are going to be unpopular with at least part of the crowd. I've never had any head-to-heads with him. I've certainly disagreed with some of his positions but I've never had any strong disagreements with him.

"I think he's had everybody's respect. From my own point of view, I not only respect him, but I actually like the guy. You can tell he's a racer at heart. He's a charming individual. I've spent quite a bit of time talking with him. His decision to retire is very personal and he'll bemissed."

De Ferran is eighth in the PPG Cup standings but could advance to sixth with a high finish. He'll also be attempting to help Brazil secure CART's Nation's Cup for the first time. Brazilian drivers have scored 257 points this season, with U.S. racers gaining 253 points, and Canada's competitors third with 248.

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