News Tidbits From Around CART ©1997 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc. Jasper Replaces Moreno — Hogan Racing to get Sponsor —Davis has Money on the Bank — Brix sues Johnstone, Green, Honda Jasper Replaces Moreno Paul Jasper Jr. will be driving the #34 Payton/Coyne Lola Ford entry in thePPG CART World Series starting this weekend at Surfer's Paradise forthe balance of the season. Jasper steps into the cockpit vacated by Roberto Moreno, who wasconfirmed in a last-minute deal just before Homestead, only to retirethe car early with severe handling problems. Moreno was not available for comment. Pre-season rumors connected lastyear's thrid place finisher at the inaugural U.S. 500 with the DavisRacing team as a second Brazilian driver and his signing withPayton/Coyne came as a surprise following extended Payton/Coyne testsessions with Jasper, Jeret Schroeder and Michel Jourdain atSebring. Jasper finished last year's Toyota Atlantic series in thrid place,and brings along sponsorship from sports drink maker HYPE [a logowell known from Jacques Villeneuve's Formula One Williams]. Hogan Racing to get Sponsor Rumor in the paddock suggests that the so far unsponsored HoganRacing Reynard Mercedes car will soon be seen in Mobil 1 colors.Dario Franchitti's top rookie qualifying effort at Surfer's Paradiseshould make it easier for Hogan to close the deal. Davis has Money on the Bank Another car in the field that was looking for a paint-job has found asponsor in Brazil. The Brazilian Indusval bank will support DavisRacing in 1997, with Gualter Salles at the wheel. The sponsorshipdeal was announced only a week after Davis Racing announced a newpartnership with Brazilian businessmanJorge Cintra. Brix sues Johnstone, Green, Honda Recently Brix Racing filed a suit for a combined $3 million in damagesagainst Parker Johnstone, Honda Performance Development, and BarryGreen. The suit charges the defendants to be responsible for thebreakup of Brix/Comptech racing. Johnstone left the team in late '96to join Team Green only weeks later. Honda made the same move shortlyafter. The suit alleges that Brix/Comptech lost he sponsorship as aresult of this migration to Green, ultimately causing the breakup ofthe team. Brix alleges that breach of contract and lack of fairdealing by the defendants triggered this development.