IndyCar drivers Al Unser, Jr., Robby Gordon and Scott Pruett finished one-two-three, respectively, at Talladega, leaving a select field of nine other drivers from NASCAR Winston Cup and road racing in their wake. It marked the first time in the 20-year, 78-race history of IROC that IndyCar drivers have swept the podium in the series.

On Sunday, at the world-famous Nurburgring, 1995 PPG Cup champion Jacques Villeneuve claimed his first career Formula One victory. Villeneuve started second, behind pole-sitter Damon Hill. He took the lead early and never gave it up, holding off runner-up Michael Schumacher, the reigning world champion, in the battle for the checkered flag.

"This is no time for modesty. This clearly indicates that IndyCar drivers are the cream of the crop," said Andrew Craig, IndyCar President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our congratulations go to Al, Robby and Scott for their dominant IROC performance at Talladega, and of course, to Jacques, for his great Formula One victory at the Nurburgring."

Saturday's IROC victory marked Unser, Jr.'s 10th career IROC win and his second at Talladega. Gordon, who also finished second in the IROC season opener at Daytona in February, leads the IROC series standings with 39 points, while Unser, Jr. stands second with 31. The race will be televised by ABC Sports at 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 30.

Unser, Jr., Gordon and Pruett were allowed to qualify early Saturday afternoon for today's Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix at Nazareth, Pa. The three drivers then received a police escort to Allentown Airport, where they flew by private jet to Talladega. The group returned to Nazareth on Saturday evening.

Entering today's Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix, Pruett stands second in the PPG Cup standings, with 44 points. He trails series leader Jimmy Vasser (67) by 23 points, and has posted three top-five finishes in four races to date, with a best of second place at the March 31 IndyCar Australia.

Unser, Jr. stands third in the points, with 39. He owns two top-fives this season, highlighted by a second-place effort at the March 17 Rio 400.

Gordon is tied for 10th place in the PPG Cup standings with 14 points. His best finish in four races to date was a third at the season-opening Marlboro Grand Prix of Miami on March 3.

Villeneuve won four of 17 races in the 1995 PPG Indy Car World Series, and posted nine top-five finishes as well. He also claimed six pole positions, all of them in the final nine races of the season, including three in a row at Portland, Road America and Toronto. This is his first year driving for the Williams Formula One team.

Following Sunday's Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix, the PPG Indy Car World Series continues with the inaugural U.S. 500 at Brooklyn, Mich. Qualifying for the race will be held on Saturday and Sunday, May 11 and 12, with the race slated for Sunday, May 26 (2 p.m., ESPN).

Source: IndyCar Website

Used by permission