Andretti's PPG Cup Start A Career Best

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Andretti's PPG Cup Start A Career Best
©1997 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc.
Leading the points with two podiums
The 1997 PPG Cup season is only two races old, but Kmart/Texaco Havoline driver Michael Andretti is already off to the best championship start of his career. His win in the season-opening Grand Prix of Miami and quiet run to third in the Sunbelt IndyCarnival Australia on Sunday have combined to give him a healthy lead in the PPG Cup standings with 35 points. The total includes a single point for leading the most race laps in Miami.
Although Andretti has managed to reach the podium within the first two races of the season five times (including wins at Long Beach in 1987 and Australia in 1994) this year is the first time he has made it to the winner's circle in each of the year's opening events.
The quick start is likely making his PPG Cup competitors nervous for two reasons. The first is that Andretti has traditionally not reached his stride until later in the season. A mid or late-season charge by Michael is not rare. Combine that trend with an early-season run, though, and Andretti looks tough to beat.
The second item the competition might have noticed is that the new Swift 007i appears to work well on both ovals and road courses. The Swift also seems to be at its best when it counts — in race conditions.
The success may be a surprise to everyone but Andretti. When Andretti and Newman/Haas Racing ran the Swift in its first public test in Phoenix early in 1997, Andretti went on record as saying he believed the race car had the ability to make them championship contenders. Now, others may believe it too.
Heading into this weekend's Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, Andretti leads Australia winner Scott Pruett by five points (30) while Greg Moore is third with 28 points. Alex Zanardi (20), Paul Tracy (17), Jimmy Vasser (15), Gil de Ferran (10), Andre Ribeiro (9), Mauricio Gugelmin (8) and Raul Boesel (6) complete the top-10 in the PPG Cup chase.
Source: CART News Service


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

		Andretti's PPG Cup Start A Career Best ©1997 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc. Leading the points with two podiums The 1997 PPG Cup season is only two races old, but Kmart/Texaco Havoline driver Michael Andretti is already off to the best championship start of his career. His win in the season-opening Grand Prix of Miami and quiet run to third in the Sunbelt IndyCarnival Australia on Sunday have combined to give him a healthy lead in the PPG Cup standings with 35 points. The total includes a single point for leading the most race laps in Miami. Although Andretti has managed to reach the podium within the first two races of the season five times (including wins at Long Beach in 1987 and Australia in 1994) this year is the first time he has made it to the winner's circle in each of the year's opening events. The quick start is likely making his PPG Cup competitors nervous for two reasons. The first is that Andretti has traditionally not reached his stride until later in the season. A mid or late-season charge by Michael is not rare. Combine that trend with an early-season run, though, and Andretti looks tough to beat. The second item the competition might have noticed is that the new Swift 007i appears to work well on both ovals and road courses. The Swift also seems to be at its best when it counts — in race conditions. The success may be a surprise to everyone but Andretti. When Andretti and Newman/Haas Racing ran the Swift in its first public test in Phoenix early in 1997, Andretti went on record as saying he believed the race car had the ability to make them championship contenders. Now, others may believe it too. Heading into this weekend's Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, Andretti leads Australia winner Scott Pruett by five points (30) while Greg Moore is third with 28 points. Alex Zanardi (20), Paul Tracy (17), Jimmy Vasser (15), Gil de Ferran (10), Andre Ribeiro (9), Mauricio Gugelmin (8) and Raul Boesel (6) complete the top-10 in the PPG Cup chase. Source: CART News Service