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CART: Reynard takes two podium spots at Motegi Champ Car race

15 May 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

After a 24 hour delay due to torrential rain the Japanese round of the 2000 FedEx Championship Series took place today at the Motegi circuit with Reynard Champ Cars taking 2nd and 3rd places on the podium. Reynard 2KI driver for Team KOOL Green, Dario Franchitti, was only 0.54 seconds behind winner, Michael Andretti, at the chequered flag with Roberto Moreno driving Patrick Racing's Reynard Ford taking third spot.

Reynard retains the lead in the 2000 Series Constructors Championship with 82 points to rival Lola with 64 points. A Reynard driver, Paul Tracy, (KOOL Honda Reynard, continues to lead the championship with 56 points following a sixth-place finish, his fourth consecutive top-six finish this season.

DARIO FRANCHITTI, KOOL Honda Reynard comments: "That first oval win still eludes us. We really struggled during qualifying, and we were disappointed with that. We knew we had a good race car, and we kept making up places on pit stops and restarts, and I think some of the retirements really helped. It was a great day for Team KOOL Green and I can't say enough about the Honda engine. But this guy [Andretti] is pretty tough to pass. He's been doing this for awhile and knows exactly where to position the car. It's nice to be back. I forgot what the press room looked like."

ROBERTO MORENO, Visteon Ford Reynard said of his Japanese Champ Car race: "We've been quick throughout the weekend. The team came with a quick car right out of the box and we were quick throughout the weekend. The only problem we had was on the last set of tires. It caused us a little bit of a problem on restarts, but it was a good weekend."

Top Ten finishers:

1. Michael Andretti Newman Haas Racing
2. Dario Franchitti Team KOOL Green
3. Roberto Moreno Patrick Racing
4. Cristiano da Matta PPI Motorsports
5. Kenny Brack Team Rahal
6. Paul Tracy Team KOOL Green
7. Juan Montoya Ganassi Racing
8. Max Papis Team Rahal
9. Gil de Ferran Marlboro Team Penske
10. Adrian Fernandez Patrick Racing

Driver's Championship after Round 5

1. Paul Tracy 56 points
2.=Jimmy Vasser 42 points
2.= Roberto Moreno 42 points
4.= Max Papis 25 points
4.= Cristiano da Matta 25 points
6. Adrian Fernandez 25 points
7. Gil de Ferran 22 points
8.= Michael Andretti 20 points
8.= Dario Franchitti 20 points
10. Alex Tagliani 18 points

Constructors Championship after Round 5

1. Reynard 82 points
2. Lola 64 points
3. Swift 0 points

Text provided by Alison Hill

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.