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CART: Reynard Driver Wins 2000 CART Championship

1 November 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
Reynard Motorsport topped off another successful year in Champ Cars with a Reynard driver taking the Championship crown for the sixth year running. A third place finish for Gil de Ferran in the Team Penske Honda Reynard brought him a $1 million prize and the coveted 2000 FedEx Championship Series Drivers Champion title, the first of his six-year career in Champ Cars.

The final event of the Series at Fontana super speedway featured 59 lead changes and saw only six of 26 competitors complete the 500-mile event, with Christian Fittipaldi driving the Newman Haas Ford Lola grabbing the lead for the final 29 laps, the longest stint on the lead for any driver all day. He drove to a 0.194 second victory over Roberto Moreno in the Patrick Racing Ford Reynard, in the event that was completed Monday morning after rain washed out Sunday's action following the completion of 33 laps.

This final race of the season held the cards to the Championship winner, with five drivers having the chance to take the title, as they took the grid. In the closing stages it was a two horse race, with Gil de Ferran and Adrian Fernandez being the only two drivers remaining in contention and they kept the fans on the edge of their seats until the chequered flag.

An emotional de Ferran said after the race, "Obviously, it's a very, very emotional day for me today. I was trying to keep myself calm, but when I crossed the line, I didn't think I was going to make it back. I've dreamed all my life about winning a title like this." Thanking the many people and organisations contributing to his success de Ferran added, "I've been driving Reynards since 1989, and I'm very, very happy to win the championship in a Reynard."

Reynard Motorsport entered this premier American open-wheeled Series in 1994 and has been dominating the Championship since 1995 with an enviable record of success, including six Constructors Championship titles, six Drivers Championship titles and six Rookie of the Year Reynard drivers.

Text Provided By Alison Hill

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