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CART expands all-star format; Creates teams for Indy Lights and Atlantic drivers

10 September 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
MONTEREY, Calif.- In a move to further integrate its Ladder System series and the FedEx Championship Series, Championship Auto Racing Teams announced today that it has extended its All-Star Team format and created similar teams for drivers from the Dayton Indy Lights Championship and Toyota Atlantic Championship series.

The CART Ladder System All-Star Teams will follow a scaled-down version of the format and selection process utilized for the CART All-Star Team that debuted in 1999. At the Champ Car level, the CART All-Star Team is annually selected through balloting from a voting committee comprised of a select panel of motorsports media, FedEx Championship Series drivers and a small group of celebrity race enthusiasts. The panel selected CART Champ Car drivers Juan Montoya, Dario Franchitti, Paul Tracy, Michael Andretti and Max Papis to the inaugural team that was introduced in February at CART Spring Training.

"The main purpose of the CART Ladder System is to develop the future stars of the FedEx Championship Series," said interim CART President Bobby Rahal. "A key component in the process of building awareness for these young up-and-coming drivers is developing name recognition with our fan base and within the CART community. By annually showcasing the top performers of the Dayton Indy Lights and Toyota Atlantic championships, we are truly positioning these young people as tomorrow's Champ Car stars."

Three drivers from each Ladder System series will be annually selected to represent their respective series as All-Stars. Separate 12-member panels for both Dayton Indy Lights and Toyota Atlantics will include selected media members and one or two celebrity race enthusiasts. The drivers in each series will also be invited to vote for their respective All-Star team. Media members may belong to more than one All-Star panel.

The Ladder System voting process for both series will have the panelists select three drivers on their ballots and rank them in order of merit as points will be awarded to each driver in descending order. The first driver selected will receive five (5) points; second, three (3) points; third, one (1) point.

All drivers elected to each All-Star team will receive specially made trophies signifying their standing on the team. The media and celebrity panelists for this season will be announced in the coming weeks.

Text provided by Mike Zizzo

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