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CART: Team Target hopes momentum continues in Milwaukee

31 May 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Indy 500 winner Montoya and teammate Vasser return to one-race-per-weekend schedule

West Allis, Wis. -- Fresh off a victory in Sunday's Indianapolis 500, Target/Chip Ganassi Racing is eager to continue its winning ways by taking its first 2000 CART/FedEx Series checkered flag in the Miller Lite 225 at the Milwaukee Mile.

Depsite team driver Juan Montoya's dominance at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the 24-year-old Colombian has yet to finish better than fourth in the season's first five CART events. However, if his last three races are any indication, Monotya is about to break out of his CART slump.

In Japan on May 14, polesitter Montoya was on the verge of victory when a fluke pit stop problem pushed him back to seventh place. At Saturday's Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix in Nazareth, Montoya, again on the pole, led the field before pit problems sent him to fourth. But in Montoya's first Indy 500 appearance, it was his pit crew that sealed the victory.

"We had an unbelievable win at Indy and it's given our team a lot of confidence. We are starting to become a family and we're really racing well," said Montoya, who led 167 of the 200 laps at the Indy 500. "I couldn't believe how quick we were in the pits on Sunday [Indy 500]. We've had some small problems this year, but we showed how good we can be. Everyone is anxious to get a CART win this year and give Toyota its first victory. We are really racing well, and I have a good feeling about Milwaukee."

Although Montoya's No. 1 Target Toyota-Lola has struggled in races at various times this year, Montoya has been nearly flawless in qualifying. He takes aim at his third pole position of the season in Milwaukee.

"The car has been really fast this year and definitely could have won in Japan and Nazareth, but sometimes luck is not on your side," Montoya said. "Just like in Indy, I think we're ready for some good luck in Milwaukee. I liked the oval there last year; nice and wide. Our team is still very excited about Indy, but we're ready to add another win."

Team Target's Jimmy Vasser, coming off two seventh-place finishes this Memorial Day weekend, continues to gain on points leader Paul Tracy. Entering the Miller Lite 225, Vasser sits in second place, trailing Tracy 59-48.

"Last weekend was a pretty amazing experience, but I think we're looking forward to getting back to a more regular routine," said Vasser, who led five laps during the Indy 500. "I was hoping for a little better than seventh in both races, but I gained a few points on Paul in Nazareth, so that was a positive. I'd say the learning process is pretty much complete with the new car, so now it's time to put all that knowledge to use. I've had some success at Milwaukee in the past, and I'm hoping another good race here can get me even closer to the points lead."

A quarter of the way through the 2000 CART FedEx Championship Series, team owner Chip Ganassi is pleased with his team's performance, but he sees room for improvement.

"We've accomplished one of our season's goals: winning the Indy 500 -- now it's time to concentrate on our second goal," Ganassi said. "Jimmy is back to his consistent self this year and appears hungry to take over the top spot in the points. Juan hasn't let a few disappointing races get him down and he's climbing right back in the race. I'm proud of the whole team for an amazing Memorial Day weekend, and I'm confident the Toyota-Lola can challenge for the CART championship. The Indy 500 won't be our only victory of the year."

Text provided by Jana Griffith

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