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CART: Reynard podium finish keeps constructor ahead in points

7 June 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Patrick Carpentier, driving the Player's Forsythe Racing Ford Reynard 2Ki Champ Car, finished third in the Milwaukee Mile 225, sixth round of the 2000 Fedex Championship Series, to keep Reynard in the lead for this years Constructors Championship title. Juan Montoya, Target Ganassi Racing Toyota Lola, brought the engine manufacturer its first CART win in its five year history, barely one week after victory in the blue riband event of US auto racing, the Indianapolis 500. Runner-up Michael Andretti, Newman-Haas Ford Lola, recorded his second podium finish in three events.

The race was postponed for a day after rain washed out the scheduled Sunday start. Highest Reynard finisher, Carpentier, who qualified third on the grid, made a flawless pass of Dario Franchitti to get into second early in the race and held that position for more than 50 laps, constantly pressing leader and eventual winner Juan Montoya of Colombia.

"I'm really pleased to get a podium finish," said Carpentier, whose other podium with Team Player's came last September in Vancouver, when he finished second at the Molson Indy. "The Player's team deserves a lot of credit for delivering an extremely competitive car. Towards the end of the race, it was getting a bit loose, but that was the same for everyone.

"I would have liked to be on the top step of the podium, but it's a long season and I think we can confidently say that, based on today's showing, we're going to reach that top step soon."

Reynard leads the Constructors Championship title race with 116 points to Lola's 97 points. Reynard drivers head the tables in the Drivers Championship with Team KOOL Green's Paul Tracy (Honda Reynard) holding a 59-52 lead over Roberto Moreno (Patrick Racing Ford Reynard) heading into Round 7, the June 18 Tenneco Automotive Grand Prix of Detroit.

Race Results

1 Juan Montoya
2 Michael Andretti
3 Patrick Carpentier
4 Kenny Brack
5 Roberto Moreno
6 Dario Franchitti
7 Max Papis
8 Adrian Fernandez
9 Christian Fittipaldi
10 Tony Kanaan
11 Mauricio Gugelmin
12 Gil de Ferran

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.