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CART: International portion of FedEx Championship Series opens with Rio 200

25 April 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

DETROIT- With drivers representing 12 different countries and a variety of global sponsors, the FedEx Championship Series boasts worldwide appeal. And nowhere is that appeal more evident than in Brazil, homeland to nine drivers currently competing in the series.

The Brazilian contingent made history last year by claiming the Nation's Cup, awarded annually to the country whose drivers score the highest finishes during the FedEx Championship Series season. It marked the first time in the award's five-year history that it was claimed by a country other than the United States.

Brazil is once again the early Nation's Cup leader as the series prepares for its first international event of the season, Sunday's Rio 200, on the Emerson Fittipaldi Speedway at Nelson Piquet International Raceway in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (12:30 p.m. ET, live, ESPN).

Brazil's Nation's Cup lead has been powered by a pair of poles and most laps led points from Gil de Ferran (Marlboro Honda Reynard) at Homestead and Long Beach; as well as runner-up finishes from Rio native Roberto Moreno (Visteon Ford Reynard) and Helio Castro-Neves (Marlboro Honda Reynard) at Homestead and Long Beach, respectively. Brazil holds a 36-34 lead over Canada while the four-time Nation's Cup champion United States stands third at 26 points.

While Brazil holds the Nation's Cup lead, it is Canadian Paul Tracy of Team KOOL Green who stands atop the driver standings. Tracy (KOOL Honda Reynard), a 1999 CART All-Star selection, has parlayed a third-place finish at Homestead and his 16th career FedEx Championship Series victory at Long Beach into 34 points. It marks the first time he has led the championship since 1997 when he held the top spot following Round 11 at Toronto.

Tracy is one of two former Rio 200 winners in the field, having scored a dramatic victory in 1997 when leader Bobby Rahal ran out of fuel with just over a lap remaining. Juan Montoya (Target Toyota Lola), the defending FedEx Championship Series champ and a '99 CART All Star, joins Tracy as a former winner at Rio. Montoya drove to victory last year in a dominant performance that saw him lead 93 of 108 laps and culminate a three-race winning streak.

Montoya's Target/Chip Ganassi Racing teammate, Jimmy Vasser (Target Toyota Lola) currently stands second to Tracy in the championship with 26 points. He owns top-four finishes in each of the season's first two events - fourth at Homestead and third at Long Beach.

Max Papis (Miller Lite Ford Reynard), a '99 CART All Star and winner of the season opener at Homestead, stands third with 20 championship points and is followed by Moreno and De Ferran, with 20 and 18 points, respectively. Papis holds the higher ranking over Moreno based on his victory at Homestead.

Following the Rio 200, the FedEx Championship Series continues its international swing with the Firestone Firehawk 500, Saturday, May 13, at the Twin Ring Motegi motorsports complex in Motegi, Japan.

WHO'S HOT

* Paul Tracy (KOOL Honda Reynard) owns podium finishes in each of the first two events of the FedEx Championship Series season - third at Homestead and a victory at Long Beach - and leads the championship with 34 points. His last championship lead came in 1997, following Round 11 at Toronto. He has scored points in five of his past six starts, dating to last year at Laguna Seca, and is one of two drivers - Gil de Ferran is the other - to have led laps in both FedEx Championship Series events this season. He is a former winner at Rio, having driven to victory in 1997.

* Gil de Ferran (Marlboro Honda Reynard) has earned pole positions at Homestead and Long Beach and has gone on to lead race-high totals of 41 laps at Homestead and 30 at Long Beach. He leads the series with 71 laps led. On the strength of sixth and seventh-place finishes at Homestead and Long Beach, respectively, he stands fifth in the championship with 18 points.

* Jimmy Vasser (Target Toyota Lola) has a pair of top-four finishes in his first two starts, topped by third at Long Beach. He stands second to Tracy in the championship with 24 points and has given Toyota power two of its three best finishes during its five-year participation in the FedEx Championship Series, fourth at Long Beach and third at Homestead.

* Alex Tagliani (Player's Forsythe Racing Team Ford Reynard) has led an impressive crop of FedEx Championship Series rookie drivers by recording points-paying results in each of his first two starts - ninth at Homestead and fourth at Long Beach. He stands seventh in the championship with 16 points.

* Roberto Moreno (Visteon Ford Reynard) matched a career best with a runner-up performance at Homestead, equaling last year's showing at Laguna Seca, and followed with a ninth-place effort at Long Beach, where he also led 10 laps. He stands fourth in the championship with 20 points.

ON THE RIGHT TRACK

* Christian Fittipaldi (Big Kmart/Route 66 Ford Lola) earned his first career FedEx Championship Series pole position on the speedway named after his uncle Emerson last year. He earned the pole with a track-record lap of 174.002 miles per hour (38.565 seconds). He went on to finish third and also owns a fifth-place result at Rio in 1996, when he started 27th.

* Jimmy Vasser has scored championship points in three of four career appearances at Rio. He earned finishes of eighth in 1996, ninth in '97 and sixth in '98.

* Roberto Moreno's career-best FedEx Championship Series qualifying performance came at Rio in 1997. He captured the outside pole while substituting for the injured Christian Fittipaldi in the Newman/Haas entry. Moreno also owns scoring finishes of ninth in 1996 and 11th last year, in his first event as a substitute for the injured Mark Blundell at PacWest Racing. This also is truly a home track for Moreno, the only Brazilian among the nine competing who was born in Rio de Janeiro.

* Dario Franchitti (KOOL Honda Reynard) earned the pole position at Rio de Janeiro in 1998 and drove to a runner-up finish last year. He has led 10 laps at Rio over the past two seasons.

* Gil de Ferran has scored FedEx Championship Series points in three of his four career appearances at Rio de Janeiro, with finishes of 10th in 1996 and '99, and 11th in '97.

MANUFACTURING SUCCESS

* Jimmy Vasser's third-place finish at Long Beach brought Toyota the first podium finish of its five-year participation in the FedEx Championship Series. Vasser had equaled Toyota's previous best, established by Cristiano da Matta at Nazareth last year, with a fourth-place performance at Homestead in the season opener.

* With three poles and two race victories in four events, Honda has been the dominant manufacturer in FedEx Championship Series competition at Rio de Janeiro. Honda's victories have come from Andre Ribeiro (1996) and Juan Montoya last year. The poles were recorded by Alex Zanardi (1996), Dario Franchitti (1998) and Montoya last year.

* Mercedes-Benz also has enjoyed success at Rio with a pole and pair of wins. Mauricio Gugelmin landed the pole in 1997 while Paul Tracy and Greg Moore earned wins in 1997 and '98, respectively.

* Ford has won the past two FedEx Championship Series events contested on ovals, with victories from Adrian Fernandez in last year's season finale at California Speedway and Max Papis (Miller Lite Ford Reynard) in the 2000 season opener at Homestead.

MILESTONES

* Michael Andretti's next triumph will allow him to set a CART record for most seasons with at least one race victory. Andretti (Big Kmart/Texaco/Havoline Ford Lola), CART's all-time victory leader with 38, is currently tied for the top spot with Rick Mears. Both have notched at least one victory in 12 seasons. Andretti is in his 17th season of FedEx Championship Series competition.

* Jimmy Vasser's next start will move him into sole possession of 13th place on the CART career starts list, with 130. Vasser, in his ninth career FedEx Championship Series season, is currently tied with Tom Sneva at 129 career starts.

NOTEWORTHY

* CART Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Andrew Craig will be the keynote speaker during the afternoon session of the Racing for Global Profits: Global Opportunities and Local Impacts of the Motor Sports Industries conference Tuesday at the Omni North Hotel in Indianapolis. His address will focus on the impact racing has on manufacturing and services in general. The conference is being coordinated by the Global Business Information Network at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.

ON THE AIR

* The Rio 200 will air live 12:30 p.m. ET Sunday on ESPN.

RIO 200 "QUOTEBOARD"

JUAN MONTOYA (Target Toyota Lola), on defending his Rio 200 championship: "Last year, I only had three points after the first two races of the season. I have one point now, so I'm really not that far behind last year's pace. One important thing I learned in my rookie year is that it's a long season, so you can't panic and you can't get overconfident. It's disappointing that we haven't been able to finish a race, but the car has also been unbelievably good at times, so I know we'll be fine. (On last year's victory at Rio de Janeiro) Rio was one of my favorite races in 1999. It was my second straight oval win, so that's when I really started to believe in my ability and realize how talented Team Target was. It was also my third straight win. I still can't believe that. Rio is a great place to race. The fans really get into it, so I'm anxious to race there again. I'm confident we'll run well in Rio."

PAUL TRACY (KOOL Honda Reynard), on his early success during the FedEx Championship Series season: "We're only two races into a very long season, but I've got say that I like the way things have gone so far for the #26 Team KOOL Green crew. Leading the championship makes you think about winning the title, but we know we've got a long way to go to reach that goal. We also know that if we keep working together as a team, and not make too many mistakes, we should be in the hunt heading to Fontana [for the season-ending Marlboro 500 Presented by Toyota]. But we're taking it one race at a time and we've got our sights set squarely on scoring more points in Rio. It's an interesting track and it usually produces an interesting race. We're on a bit of a roll, we think we've got a good setup for the Rio circuit and I've had some success there in the past [1997 winner], so we're not lacking any confidence heading down there."

JIMMY VASSER (Target Toyota Lola), on his adjustment to his new Toyota/Lola equipment package: "Our team is doing a lot of things right, and the results are beginning to show. I'm really getting comfortable with the new Toyota-Lola package, and I was extremely impressed with the Firestone tires at Long Beach. The whole team is excited about how we're racing, and I'm looking forward to continuing the hot streak in Rio. Obviously, it's way too early to be looking at the point standings but, as you learn pretty quickly, every point is important. I told Juan [Montoya, Vasser's Target/Chip Ganassi Racing teammate] yesterday, 'Be happy you have that point from the Nazareth pole -- it could come in very handy at the end of the season.' "

MICHAEL ANDRETTI (Big Kmart/Texaco/Havoline Ford Lola), on the Brazilian fans' passionate interest in Champ Car racing: "Brazilian fans are unbelievable. They are great fans. Obviously, they have a good reason to be because they have a lot of great drivers. They are very emotional fans in general. They know everything about racing and it's great to race there because you feel their support and all the energy and I think it is really good for the FedEx Series and Texaco also, since it is one of their biggest growth areas. It's pretty important to race in Brazil. With so many Brazilian drivers and sponsors, it's important to race here. They follow our races on TV throughout the season as well. Our racing in Brazil has been tough. The Big Kmart/Texaco/Havoline car has had a lot of problems and have only finished one race out of the four. We just keep plugging away, though. I figure the odds are on our side now. Sooner or later it's going to go our way. We need it to go our way this year."

DARIO FRANCHITTI (KOOL Honda Reynard), on regaining the form that made him last year's runner-up in the FedEx Championship Series championship: "Obviously, I'm disappointed with our lack of results so far this season, but there's no reason to panic. We know we've got a good package in the Honda-Reynard - it's certainly working for Paul - so we'll just stay the course and continue to work on fine-tuning our setups. Fortunately, Team KOOL Green has always given me a good car at Rio and I certainly enjoy driving the circuit. It's fairly basic, but it's got some fun corners and a couple of decent passing opportunities. We'll be looking for every advantage that we can find to start up front because it's usually tight quarters once the race starts. It's a great show for the Brazilian fans, who without question are some of the most knowledgeable fans in the world. They have a passion for the sport and Brazil has produced a lot of quality drivers, especially the half-dozen or so currently racing in CART. They're very good."

CHRISTIAN FITTIPALDI (Big Kmart/Route 66 Ford Lola), on the strong motorsports tradition in Brazil: "Brazilian fans are pretty fanatic about racing. They have been enjoying motor racing of the highest level for about 20 or 30 years. First with Emerson [Fittipaldi] and then with Nelson [Piquet] and [Ayrton] Senna and now with the new boys. There is a lot of motor racing tradition within the Brazilian culture and I think that is good for CART. Scoring my first pole in Brazil [last year] was a huge excitement, not only for myself, but also for the team and Kmart. They supported me a lot all these years. It was very close between Dario [Franchitti] and myself but I managed to pinch it three of four-hundredths of a second quicker than him. I can say it was a little more special because it was my home country but I would take it anywhere. It was such a happy moment for myself and the team because of all that we had been through over the years. It was definitely a sweet feeling to win the pole in Rio, but as I said I would take it anywhere for sure. I think it is important to do well in every race in the series especially if you are going for the championship. It's really important to keep up the pace at every race and not just when you are going to your home event you put in a little extra effort. You should always be driving to the max so that there is nothing else in your power to do."

ALEX TAGLIANI (Player's Forsythe Racing Team Ford Reynard), on holding the lead in the race for the Jim Trueman Rookie of the Year Award: "It's nice to be in the lead in the rookie standings after the first two races, but I think what is most important is that we are progressing well in our learning process. I've been able to build a strong rapport with my engineer, Alex Timmermans, and the entire Player's crew. We're all pulling in the same direction and I think that spirit of collaboration is evident in the results that we've been able to produce so far. The race in Rio will be a new experience for me, my first opportunity to drive on the Emerson Fittipaldi oval. I know that the Player's team has a history of success at that track, with a win there [from Greg Moore] in 1998. We'll try to use that formula of success and the things we've learned in the first two races to maintain Team Player's fine record in Rio."

TONY KANAAN (Hollywood/Mo Nunn Racing Mercedes Reynard), on racing in his homeland: "Being a Brazilian, this will always be a very special race for us ... our homecoming. My first Champ Car race there (in 1998) I experienced one of those surreal moments during my qualifying run. I could actually hear the roar of the crowd building as I was making my way around the track. I qualified third, my best starting position to that point. And even though hundreds of horsepower were screaming away behind me as I went around the track, somehow the roar of the crowd got through and it felt very exciting. I'm looking forward to bringing my new teammates down to Rio. Our sponsor is Hollywood, and we really want to put on a good show for them. As we've shown in our first two races, this team seems to be competitive right out of the box. We had a good run on the oval at Homestead. At Long Beach, we were running well before we ran into some terrible luck. So you never know when we will finally break through. But we are a new team, and there are things about being a new team that you have to work through with experience. Wouldn't it be great if we could bring home our first podium finish, even our first win, down there? It would be the kick in the pants we've all been working so hard for!"

CRISTIANO da MATTA (Pioneer/MCI WorldCom Toyota Reynard), on regaining his form in Brazil, his native country: "My luck racing in Brazil was good until last year, when I lost the engine during the race. So I am hoping that this time things will be different. It's my second time to race on this track, so I'm more prepared. Our oval set-up is not where we want it yet, but it won't be as big a deal in Rio because the track isn't really an oval. The shape is different. The turns are more defined, so you're not just cruising around like at Nazareth. I think it's good for us to race in Brazil, because there are a lot of fans of Champ Car racing in Brazil and a lot of drivers for them to cheer for. And Pioneer and MCI WorldCom and Mitel all have businesses down there, so they will be there, too. Of course, I love being in Brazil, because it's my home."

ORIOL SERVIA (Telefonica Toyota Reynard), on building upon his strong performance at Long Beach: "Well, after such a good finish in Long Beach [sixth], I am definitely looking forward to Rio. It is a big event for my sponsor Telefonica, so I know I will be busy off the track as well as in the car. Plus it's my first time racing there. So far, I have already raced at all the tracks - Miami, Long Beach, and Nazareth - in Indy Lights. This is the first new one for me, even though they are all new to me in a Champ Car. We are still searching for the best oval set-up, but from what I can see, it might not be as much of a problem for us in Rio. There's still a lot of downshifting and braking that will take some of the pressure off the set-up, but not too much. I'm just happy to be ahead in the points so early in the season, and I'm going to give it my best to earn another really good finish in Brazil."

MEMO GIDLEY (Player's Forsythe Racing Team Ford Reynard), on his return to Champ Car competition: "It felt great to be back in a Champ car again at Long Beach. I appreciate the opportunity that Team Player's gave me when it needed someone to fill in for Patrick [Carpentier, sidelined with a broken left wrist]. I'm determined to seize this opportunity to show what I can do in the CART series. I was really happy with how quickly I was able to adjust to my new surroundings at Long Beach. From top to bottom, Team Player's was outstanding, both in welcoming me to the team and providing me with a car that was certainly capable of running with the contenders. I have no doubt that will be the case at Rio, and I'm going to go all out to repay the team for its faith in me."

Text provided by T.E. McHale

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