Zanardi seeks standard
Alex Zanardi, 1996 PPG CART World Series Rookie of the Year, will be looking to provide a historic opening to the 1997 seasonduring Saturday’s qualifying for the Marlboro Grand Prix of Miami Presented by Toyota. Zanardi (Target Reynard Honda) hasstarted on the front row at eight consecutive PPG CART World Series events, tying a record shared by Bobby Unser (1979 and’80) and Bobby Rahal (1985). Zanardi can take sole possession of the record by starting first or second in Sunday’s 150-lap,225-mile World Series season opener (ABC-TV, 1:30 p.m. ET).

"The record is something that is nice, and I would love to break that tie," said Zanardi, who led the PPG CART World Series with six pole positions in 1996. "However, I think I’m facing the most difficult race for me, because this is not simply an oval, it is a very difficult one. I’m just going to try my best to win the pole if it is possible — not for the record, but because that will give me a (PPG Cup) point."

Zanardi won the final four pole positions of the 1996 season — at Mid-Ohio, Road America, Vancouver and Laguna Seca, and added front-row starts at Portland (another pole), Cleveland (second), Toronto (second) and Michigan Speedway (second). He was second-fastest to Target/Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Jimmy Vasser (Target Reynard Honda) at CART’s recent Spring Training, with a fast lap of 195.174 mph.

Fourth child for Unsers
Former PPG Cup champion Al Unser Jr. and his wife Shelley became proud parents for the fourth time Monday, as Joseph ScottUnser was born in Albuquerque, N.M. Young Joseph measured 18¼ inches and weighed in at five pounds, five ounces. He is theUnsers’ second boy, joining brother Al (14), and sisters Cody (10) and Shannon (8).

Marshal Fittipaldi
Former PPG Cup champion Emerson Fittipaldi will preside as Grand Marshal for the Marlboro Grand Prix of Miami Presented byToyota. Fittipaldi is currently at his Key Biscayne, Fla. home, recovering from injuries suffered in an accident at last July’s Marlboro 500 at Michigan Speedway. Fittipaldi won the 1989 PPG Cup, as well as Indianapolis 500 championships in 1989 and 1993. He is one of only three drivers (Mario Andretti and Nigel Mansell are the others) to win PPG Cup and Formula One driving championships. Fittipaldi will be honored Thursday night in Miami, at a charity event benefiting the Buoniconti Fund and the Fittipaldi Foundation, as well as at the Metro-Dade Homestead Motorsports Complex during race weekend.

Swan era begins
Sunday’s race marks the beginning of Dennis Swan’s first full season as Chief Steward for the PPG CART World Series. Swanreplaces Wally Dallenbach, who served as CART’s Chief Steward from 1980-96. Swan served as Chief Steward for the final threeevents of the 1996 season, at Road America, Vancouver and Laguna Seca.

Swan has been with CART since Nov. 1994, serving as Vice President of Logistics and Chief Steward Designate. He has been involved in auto racing since 1964, and has worked in Indy car racing since 1976, including stints with Chaparral Cars, Shierson Racing, TrueSports and Rahal-Hogan Racing. Dallenbach remains with CART as Special Assistant to the President.