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CART: Fernandez seeks triple in Firestone Firehawk 500 at Twin Ring Motegi

9 May 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

DETROIT- Fresh from his sixth career FedEx Championship Series victory at the April 30 Rio 200, Adrian Fernandez of Patrick Racing travels across the Pacific Ocean and heads into some really uncharted waters in Saturday's Firestone Firehawk 500 at Twin Ring Motegi, Japan.

Fernandez (Tecate/Quaker State/Patrick Racing Ford Reynard) has won the first two FedEx Championship Series events contested on Twin Ring's 1.549-mile oval, which began hosting Champ Cars in 1998. Now, Fernandez seeks to become the first driver to win the first three events contested at any FedEx Championship Series venue, current or inactive, in Saturday's 500-kilometer (312-mile) test.

Fernandez' victory at Rio de Janeiro - the fourth different country in which he has recorded a Champ Car triumph - moved him into fifth place in the championship with 20 points. Paul Tracy (KOOL Honda Reynard) of Team KOOL Green leads with 48 points, built on consecutive podium finishes of third at Homestead, first at Long Beach and third at Rio de Janeiro. Tracy's career-best finish in two appearances at Motegi is fifth in 1998.

With successive finishes of fourth at Homestead, third at Long Beach and second at Rio, Jimmy Vasser (Target Toyota Lola) of Target/Chip Ganassi Racing holds down second in the championship with 42 points. Vasser is a former pole winner at Japan, having claimed the 1998 pole position when qualifying was rained out and the starting grid was based on combined practice times. He has also scored championship points in both of his appearances at Motegi, with finishes of seventh in '98 and 12th last year.

Fernandez' Patrick Racing teammate, Roberto Moreno (Visteon Ford Reynard) stands third in the championship with 28 points. He has scored in all three events to date with finishes of second at Homestead, matching a career-best, ninth at Long Beach and sixth at Rio de Janeiro.

Max Papis (Miller Lite Ford Reynard) of Team Rahal, winner of the season opener at Homestead, holds down fourth in the championship with 20 points. Though he and Fernandez have each scored 20 points, Papis is ranked higher based on next best finish, 16th at Rio.

The Firestone Firehawk 500 will mark the return of rookie Walker Racing driver Shinji Nakano (Avex Honda Reynard), who has been sidelined since sustaining several small brain contusions during a March 31 testing accident at The Milwaukee Mile. Nakano made an impressive FedEx Championship Series career debut with an eighth-place finish in the season opener at Homestead five days prior to his accident.

Meanwhile, Brazilian Tarso Marques (Panasonic/Swift Ford Swift) makes his 2000 season debut in a new entry formed by Swift Engineering and Dale Coyne Racing. Marques made his FedEx Championship Series career debut at Japan last year with Marlboro Team Penske, starting 22nd and finishing 14th.

Following the Firestone Firehawk 500, the FedEx Championship Series returns stateside, where it will resume with the Miller Lite 225 on Sunday, June 4 at The Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wis.

WHO'S HOT

* Paul Tracy (KOOL Honda Reynard) has finished on the podium in each of the three FedEx Championship Series events contested in 2000, with finishes of third at Homestead and Rio de Janeiro sandwiched around a victory at Long Beach. He has an impressive run of eight podium finishes in his last 13 starts, dating to a runner-up effort at Toronto last year. Tracy leads the FedEx Championship Series with 48 points, six ahead of second-place Jimmy Vasser.

* Vasser (Target Toyota Lola) has finished among the top four drivers in his past three starts while improving on each occasion. He took fourth in the season opener at Homestead, improved to third at Long Beach and was runner-up to winner Adrian Fernandez (Tecate/Quaker State/Patrick Racing Ford Reynard) at Rio de Janeiro. Vasser stands second in the championship with 42 points.

* Roberto Moreno (Visteon Ford Reynard) has scored championship points in each of his three starts this season to rank third in the championship, with 28 points. He matched a career-best finish with a runner-up effort in the season opener at Homestead, then added finishes of ninth at Long Beach and sixth at Rio de Janeiro. In six previous seasons of full and partial FedEx Championship Series competition, Moreno's best finish is 14th, last year.

* Gil de Ferran (Marlboro Honda Reynard) has earned two pole positions this season, at Homestead and Long Beach, and has gone on to race-high laps led totals of 41 at Homestead and 30 at Long Beach. He stands second in the series with 71 laps led and stands seventh in the championship with 18 points.

* Alex Tagliani (Player's Forsythe Racing Team Ford Reynard) comes to Japan off a performance which saw him record the first pole position of his FedEx Championship Series career at Rio de Janeiro, then go on to lead a race-high 76 laps before a pair of late race spins relegated him to a 13th-place finish. His fourth-place effort a Long Beach stands as the highest for a rookie this season and he leads his five fellow rookies in the Jim Trueman Rookie of the Year Award standings, with 18 points, ranking him sixth in the championship overall.

ON THE RIGHT TRACK

* Adrian Fernandez has been the dominant driver en route to victory in each of the first two FedEx Championship Series events contested at Twin Ring Motegi. He led 102 laps en route to victory in the inaugural event in 1998 and led 153 laps last year. Fernandez has led 255 of 402 laps (63.4 percent) contested at Japan over the past two years. In addition, he started on the outside pole in 1998.

* Gil de Ferran owns a pair of podium finishes and a pole position in his two career appearances at Twin Ring Motegi. He finished third in 1998 and was runner-up to Fernandez last year, when he won the pole at an average speed of 219.000 miles per hour (25.463 seconds). He has led 29 laps in his career at Japan, four in 1998 and 25 last year.

* Tony Kanaan (Hollywood/Mo Nunn Racing Mercedes Reynard) has finished sixth in each of his two career starts at Twin Ring Motegi, in 1998 and '99. His top start of 10th at the venue came in 1998.

* Jimmy Vasser has scored championship points in both of his starts at Twin Ring Motegi, with finishes of seventh in 1998 and 12th last year. He was also awarded the pole position in 1998 after qualifying was rained out and the cars were gridded according to practice times. Vasser led 44 of 201 laps at Twin Ring Motegi in 1998.

* Helio Castro-Neves (Marlboro Honda Reynard) has scored championship points in both career appearances at Twin Ring Motegi. He finished 11th in 1998 and ninth last year.

MANUFACTURING SUCCESS

* Thanks to Adrian Fernandez' two victories, Ford has been the dominant engine manufacturer at Twin Ring Motegi to date. In addition to Fernandez' performance, Ford also received a podium result from Christian Fittipaldi, who finished third last year.

* Honda-powered drivers have claimed both pole positions at Twin Ring Motegi, with Jimmy Vasser being awarded the pole in 1998 after qualifying was rained out and the starting grid was based on practice times, and Gil de Ferran qualifying on the pole last year.

* Thanks to Vasser, Toyota has improved its "best-ever finish" in five seasons of FedEx Championship Series competition through each of the first three rounds of the 2000 championship. Vasser finished fourth in the season-opener at Miami, matching Toyota's best-ever finish established by Cristiano da Matta at Nazareth last year. Vasser followed up with Toyota's first podium result, a runner-up performance at Long Beach, then improved on that with a runner-up result to Adrian Fernandez at Rio de Janeiro.

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.

NOTEWORTHY

* Adrian Fernandez' consecutive victories in the first two FedEx Championship Series events contested at Twin Ring Motegi have put him in a position to become the first driver ever to win the first three events contested at any FedEx Championship Series venue, active or inactive. Already, Fernandez is in some pretty heady company with his back-to-back victories in Japan. The last driver to win the first two CART events contested at a given venue was Mario Andretti, who won at Long Beach in 1984 and '85 before his son, Michael won in '86. Others include Bobby Unser, who won twice at Trenton in 1979 and at Watkins Glen in 1979 and '80; Rick Mears, who won at Mexico City in 1980 and '81 and at Riverside (Calif.) in 1981 and '82; Johnny Rutherford, who won twice at Atlanta in 1979; and Al Unser Jr., who won at Denver in 1990 and '91. In addition, Teo Fabi won the first FedEx Championship Series event contested at Laguna Seca Raceway in 1983 before Bobby Rahal won the next four in succession, from 1984-87.

* Swift Engineering and Dale Coyne Racing announced last week that they have formed a new FedEx Championship Series entry which will debut at this weekend's Firestone Firehawk 500. The Ford-powered Swift will be driven by Brazilian Tarso Marques (Panasonic/Swift Ford Swift) with sponsorship from Panasonic. Team management personnel will be supplied by Swift from its San Clemente, Calif.-based operation. Peter Scott and Casper van der Schoot, formerly of Hogan Racing, will serve as team manager and chief engineer, respectively. Marques made his FedEx Championship Series debut at Twin Ring Motegi last year and finished the season with six starts for Marlboro Team Penske. His best finish was ninth at Rio de Janeiro in his homeland of Brazil. He also did some testing for Dale Coyne Racing during the 1999 pre-season. Swift competed for the FedEx Championship Series Constructor's Championship from 1997-99, with four victories and 21 additional podium finishes in 157 starts. Its best championship finish came from Michael Andretti, who finished fourth last year.

* Walker Racing driver Shinji Nakano (Avex Honda Reynard) has been added to the entry list for the Firestone Firehawk 500 in his homeland of Japan. Nakano has missed the past two events after sustaining several small brain contusions during a March 31 testing accident at The Milwaukee Mile. He made a strong start to his rookie campaign, finishing eighth in the FedEx Championship Series season opener at Homestead on March 31.

* Player's Forsythe Racing announced last week that driver Patrick Carpentier (Player's Forsythe Racing Team Ford Reynard) will be sidelined from this weekend's Firestone Firehawk 500 while he continues his recuperation from a slight fracture in his left wrist, sustained in an accident last month at his Las Vegas home. It had been hoped that Carpentier would be back in the car at Motegi, but his return was delayed following examination by Dr. Terry Trammell, CART's chief orthopedic consultant, last week. "I really expected that I'd get the go-ahead from the doctor, because I didn't have any trouble when I moved my wrist, and there was no pain when I lifted weights during my rehabilitation," said Carpentier, who now figures to return to competition at the rescheduled May 27 Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix Presented by Toyota at Nazareth Speedway. "My wrist did feel a bit different when the doctor removed my cast ... but when he told me he couldn't clear me to come back right away, it caught me off guard. I'm extremely disappointed, but all I can do is abide by his judgement. He simply didn't want me to take some unnecessary risks that might aggravate the injury and delay my return even longer." Despite missing two of three FedEx Championship Series events contested to date, Carpentier stands 13th in the championship with 10 points, built on a strong fifth-place finish in the season opener at Homestead.

ON THE AIR

* The Firestone Firehawk 500 will be aired via tape delay by ABC-TV on Sunday, May 14, beginning at 1 p.m. ET.

FIRESTONE FIREHAWK 500 "QUOTEBOARD"

PAUL TRACY (KOOL Honda Reynard), on leading the FedEx Championship Series points race: "It's great to be leading the championship heading to Motegi, but everyone on Team KOOL Green knows that the only time it really counts is after Fontana [season finale]. That's our goal, and we know we're only going to get there by taking it one race at a time. Next up is Motegi, and we're just looking to stay consistent. Our plan is to get a good setup on the car in practice, qualify as best we can and avoid making any mistakes in the race. If we can do that, and good luck continues to smile on us, we'll be there in the end with a chance to rack up some more points. I always enjoy racing in Japan. Twin Ring Motegi is an awesome facility and the Japanese fans are just incredible. They really follow the series and are very nice about asking for autographs and stuff. Motegi will always be a special place for me to race because it was the first place I turned laps in the KOOL car, when we went over there for a demonstration in late '97."

DARIO FRANCHITTI (KOOL Honda Reynard), on turning his season around at Twin Ring Motegi: "I'd like to think we've gotten all of our bad races out of the way for the season and that we can get back on our game at Motegi. With it being Honda's home track and a Firestone-sponsored race, it certainly would be a good time to turn things around. But as bad as things have gone I've got to say I'm really proud of the guys on Team KOOL Green. They've not gotten down and lost their focus or any of their will to win. If anything, they miss the good times that come with winning and are that much more determined to get back on top. Motegi is one of the best racing events in the world in or out of Champ Car racing. The facility is second to none - and I don't just mean the circuit and garages, but the hotel, road course, dirt oval and Honda museum - it's just fantastic. And the fans always amaze you with their knowledge and enthusiasm for the sport. It really makes you feel good to be a part of this series and you want to go out and put on a great race."

BARRY GREEN, Team KOOL Green owner, on the first-class Twin Ring Motegi facility: "You just can't say enough good things about racing at Twin Ring Motegi. Everyone at Team KOOL Green looks forward to the race because the organizers always do a first-class job and the fans are as devoted to Champ Car racing as any in the world. What more could you ask for? Well, I guess a win would be nice for either of our drivers. Paul has got a good season underway and you can't score too many points. For Dario, this would be the place to get that first oval win and start putting some big points on the board this season. And for Team KOOL Green, it would be especially sweet to win the race for our partners at Honda and Firestone."

GIL de FERRAN (Marlboro Honda Reynard), on his past performance at Twin Ring Motegi: "In the two years we've raced in Motegi, I've achieved a reasonable amount of success. Given my record there and most recent form with Marlboro Team Penske, I look forward to another good showing. Our yearly trip to Japan is always a great pleasure because it's Honda's home and a lot of people associated with Honda come out to support us. The Japanese fans are extremely knowledgeable, polite and kind."

HELIO CASTRO-NEVES (Marlboro Honda Reynard), on his memories of racing in Japan: "Japan will always be a special race for me because it's where I scored my first CART points [with an 11th-place finish in 1998] and I had the fastest lap of the race [25.830 seconds] there last year. Marlboro Team Penske has been working really hard and overall, we're pleased with the progress the team has made so far this season. I look forward to racing in Motegi with Honda power this year. I'd love to get my first win there and give Honda its first victory at home."

MICHAEL ANDRETTI (Big Kmart/Texaco/Havoline Ford Lola), on capitalizing on the strength he has shown at Twin Ring Motegi in the past: "I think the Big Kmart/Texaco/ Havoline team will be very competitive in Japan this year. We've done well in the race the last couple of years but have had a lot of bad luck so we feel we are due to win one. We built a big lead on second place in 1998 but I ran out of fuel on my 'in' lap due to a miscalculation. Last year, we were in second place on the last stop and second gear broke which cost us a podium finish at the least. We have had some bad luck in terms of equipment this year but we know the Ford-Lola combination is one of the best and we know the team is capable of winning. We just need everything to come together in Japan and get the ball rolling."

CHRISTIAN FITTIPALDI (Big Kmart/Route 66 Ford Lola), on last year's third-place finish at Japan: "I was surprised when Greg [Moore] spun on the last few laps last year but I was more than happy to move up to a podium finish from fourth place. We were competitive all afternoon in the race, though, so I am confident that we will be competitive again. I didn't run much in the 1998 race because we had an engine problem early on. I learned some good tricks during the race last year and I think we can capitalize on the experience this year. Not only did I learn a lot in the race but I think the team has learned a lot about the Motegi track and I think we can make an even better racecar out of the knowledge. I'm looking forward to running there and putting the Big Kmart/Route 66 car on the podium again."

ALEX TAGLIANI (Player's Forsythe Racing Team Ford Reynard), on the disappointment of being denied his first career Champ Car victory at Rio de Janeiro: "After we were so close in Rio, a lot of people have told me to hang in there and not get discouraged. I appreciate their words of encouragement and, believe me, I'm not down at all. In fact, there were so many positives coming out of the last race that I'm convinced we're closer than ever to getting that first win under our belt. I know that winning the first one is always the toughest, especially when you're a rookie, but everything is clicking with the Player's team. I think the fact we were able to get the pole and lead for most of the race in Rio is a sign that we're right there. We just need to put in that extra effort and maybe get a lucky break to put us over the top. Hopefully, that will be at the Twin Ring in Motegi. I've never raced there but I know the Ford-powered cars like our Champ Car have won both of the races held there thus far."

MEMO GIDLEY (Player's Forsythe Racing Team Ford Reynard), on continuing in his role as a replacement driver for the injured Patrick Carpentier: "I look at the race at Motegi as another opportunity for me to perform to the best of my ability and try to contribute to a win for the Player's team. I wasn't sure how many races I'd have when Player's called on me to fill in for Patrick [Carpentier], but right from the start I was determined to give it everything I've got. I'm pleased with the way things have gone so far. It was nice to get into the points in Rio in my first-ever CART race on an oval track. Being up with the leaders at Rio gives us a big boost of confidence as far as handling the oval circuit at Motegi. When you come in as a replacement driver, you want to be able to contribute so the team can maintain a certain continuity in the driver's absence. With the help of the top-notch Player's crew, I think I've been able to do that. If I've scored a few points with people in the CART series in the process, so much the better."

CRISTIANO da MATTA (Pioneer Toyota Reynard), on continuing the momentum generated by a fourth-place finish in Brazil: "I am really excited to return to Japan for a lot of reasons. We had such a great finish [fourth] in Brazil, matching our best ever. The whole Pioneer team is really pumped up to break that record as soon as possible. I'm looking forward to spending some time with Pioneer and Toyota at their headquarters. It meant a lot to me to be the highest finishing Brazilian in Rio, and I hope to honor Pioneer and Toyota by bringing home another special finish for them in their home country. And finally, because I love the fans in Japan. I can't believe how many fans remember me and the team from last year, so to see them again should be a lot of fun."

LUIZ GARCIA JR. (Hollywood/Embratel/Tang/Banco Sofisa Mercedes Reynard), looking to build on back-to-back points-paying finishes at Long Beach and Rio de Janeiro: "I'm really looking forward to Japan. I had a lot of fun at Motegi last season and it's a track that let's you fly. The first corner is really quick and you have to be careful all the way around. The fans are also fun. In many ways it's a lot like Brazil with the track and fans. They are like my countrymen, very passionate about racing. They are also polite and do their homework because they recognize us at the track. They are very exciting and a little crazy, too. As for the race, we are gaining momentum. Scoring two points in two straight races has been great and I feel we can only go higher with more time in the 2000 Hollywood-Embratel-Reynard car. The Mercedes-Benz engine has been a good one as has the car and Firestone tires. My expectations are higher and very promising. We want to show the fans a great race."

Text provided by T.E. McHale

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