Mario Back at the Wheel?

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Mario Back at the Wheel?
©1997 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc.
Newman/Haas under time pressure to replace injured Fittipaldi
Surfer's Paradise, April 8 — Christian Fittipaldi's violentaccident on Sunday is exepcted to sideline the driver of the #11Budweiser/KMart car for two to three months. CART franchiseregulations and sponsor contracts put extra pressure on Newman/Haasto find a driver for next weekend on short notice.
The number of drivers with CART experience that are currentlyavailable is very limited, inviting all kinds of speculation. Thebiggest rumor to emerge in Surfer's Paradise was published by thelocal Gold Coast Bulletin newspaper. They see Mario Andrettias a very plausible candidate to fill the vacant cockpit at LongBeach.
Already in 1996, Mario was mentioned in the context of a one-timecomeback at the U.S 500, but this ride never materialized. He diddrive an indy car in '96, though - the custom IMAX camera car for therecently released "Super Speedway" film. But he did not compete inofficial CART competition since his retirement from the series in1994. In 1996 Mario participated at the 24 hours of Le Mans, showingthat he is still interested in competitive driving. This week, theinjury-induced emergency at Newman/Haas may very well trigger somequick decisions.
Mario's strong ties to the Newman/Haas team and it's sponsors suggestthat he may very well fill the void left by Christian Fittipaldi, atleast at the upcoming event in Long Beach. It is even morespeculative to assume that he will race at further events followingLong Beach before Christian Fittipaldi is fit for a return to racing. Yet the next race on the schedule after Long Beach will be held atMario's home town in Nazareth, and again, one could theorize that hewould want to be part of this...
SpeedCenter has so far been unable to contact Newman/Haas PRrepresentative Kathi Lauterbach for more information. She remained inAustralia for the rest of this week. We will stay on this story as itmay become the biggest news of the weekend if Mario indeed takes tothe wheel again.


		Check out the latest Sports Guides from Starting Blocks Int'l

		Mario Back at the Wheel? ©1997 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc. Newman/Haas under time pressure to replace injured Fittipaldi Surfer's Paradise, April 8 — Christian Fittipaldi's violentaccident on Sunday is exepcted to sideline the driver of the #11Budweiser/KMart car for two to three months. CART franchiseregulations and sponsor contracts put extra pressure on Newman/Haasto find a driver for next weekend on short notice. The number of drivers with CART experience that are currentlyavailable is very limited, inviting all kinds of speculation. Thebiggest rumor to emerge in Surfer's Paradise was published by thelocal Gold Coast Bulletin newspaper. They see Mario Andrettias a very plausible candidate to fill the vacant cockpit at LongBeach. Already in 1996, Mario was mentioned in the context of a one-timecomeback at the U.S 500, but this ride never materialized. He diddrive an indy car in '96, though - the custom IMAX camera car for therecently released "Super Speedway" film. But he did not compete inofficial CART competition since his retirement from the series in1994. In 1996 Mario participated at the 24 hours of Le Mans, showingthat he is still interested in competitive driving. This week, theinjury-induced emergency at Newman/Haas may very well trigger somequick decisions. Mario's strong ties to the Newman/Haas team and it's sponsors suggestthat he may very well fill the void left by Christian Fittipaldi, atleast at the upcoming event in Long Beach. It is even morespeculative to assume that he will race at further events followingLong Beach before Christian Fittipaldi is fit for a return to racing. Yet the next race on the schedule after Long Beach will be held atMario's home town in Nazareth, and again, one could theorize that hewould want to be part of this... SpeedCenter has so far been unable to contact Newman/Haas PRrepresentative Kathi Lauterbach for more information. She remained inAustralia for the rest of this week. We will stay on this story as itmay become the biggest news of the weekend if Mario indeed takes tothe wheel again.