Mercedes-Benz Engine Key to Wins

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Mercedes-Benz Engine Key to Wins
©1997 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc.
Mercedes takes lead in Manufacturers Championship
CART Online (May 24) -- Mercedes-Benz powered Paul Tracy to his third straight PPG CART World Series win at the inaugural Motorola 300 at the new 1.27-mile Gateway International Raceway oval outside of St. Louis. In addition to its third win in a row, Mercedes recorded its second consecutive one-two finish, with rookie Patrick Carpentier crossing the line second, and extended its lead over Ford and Honda in the CART manufacturers championship.
Four different Mercedes-powered cars led during the 236-lap, 300-mile race, but Tracy led the lap that counted, passing Team Alumax driver Carpentier, who headed a PPG Cup field for the first time in his career.
Carpentier inherited the lead from fellow Mercedes-powered rookie Dario Franchitti, when Franchitti's Hogan Racing Reynard, owned by St. Louis-area businessman Carl Hogan, suffered gear box trouble on lap 209 after leading 31 laps. But Carpentier had troubles of his own: if he did not slow down and conserve fuel, he would run dry before the checkered flag waved.
Turning his engine to a leaner fuel setting and giving up some power, Carpentier let Tracy, who had squeezed past rival Alex Zanardi four laps earlier, through and followed him home.
Tracy, who gave the Mercedes IC108D engine its first victory in Nazareth, Pa., last month and moved into the PPG Cup points lead with a win in Rio de Janeiro two weeks ago, now leads the drivers championship by a margin of 18 points over Zanardi. Carpentier moved ahead in the rookie of the year battle, breaking a tie with Franchitti.
Mauricio Gugelmin, who started the Hollywood Reynard/Mercedes-Benz third for PacWest Racing, finished sixth behind Gil de Ferran, Zanardi and Jimmy Vasser. Player's/Forsythe Racing driver Greg Moore also ran well, leading nine laps and looking poised for his first win until a punctured left rear tire forced him to pit after the last restart on lap 200. Like Franchitti, Al Unser Jr. was sidelined by gearbox problems after running as high as fourth in the second Marlboro Penske/Mercedes car.
Gugelmin's PacWest Racing teammate Mark Blundell, whose car is backed by event sponsor Motorola, left the race after only 28 laps due to mechanical problems.
Mercedes-Benz takes a twenty-point lead in the manufacturers championship to the Miller 200 at The Milwaukee Mile next weekend.
Source: CART News Service


		JUST RELEASED! — The Official Directory for CART Racing

		Mercedes-Benz Engine Key to Wins ©1997 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc. Mercedes takes lead in Manufacturers Championship CART Online (May 24) -- Mercedes-Benz powered Paul Tracy to his third straight PPG CART World Series win at the inaugural Motorola 300 at the new 1.27-mile Gateway International Raceway oval outside of St. Louis. In addition to its third win in a row, Mercedes recorded its second consecutive one-two finish, with rookie Patrick Carpentier crossing the line second, and extended its lead over Ford and Honda in the CART manufacturers championship. Four different Mercedes-powered cars led during the 236-lap, 300-mile race, but Tracy led the lap that counted, passing Team Alumax driver Carpentier, who headed a PPG Cup field for the first time in his career. Carpentier inherited the lead from fellow Mercedes-powered rookie Dario Franchitti, when Franchitti's Hogan Racing Reynard, owned by St. Louis-area businessman Carl Hogan, suffered gear box trouble on lap 209 after leading 31 laps. But Carpentier had troubles of his own: if he did not slow down and conserve fuel, he would run dry before the checkered flag waved. Turning his engine to a leaner fuel setting and giving up some power, Carpentier let Tracy, who had squeezed past rival Alex Zanardi four laps earlier, through and followed him home. Tracy, who gave the Mercedes IC108D engine its first victory in Nazareth, Pa., last month and moved into the PPG Cup points lead with a win in Rio de Janeiro two weeks ago, now leads the drivers championship by a margin of 18 points over Zanardi. Carpentier moved ahead in the rookie of the year battle, breaking a tie with Franchitti. Mauricio Gugelmin, who started the Hollywood Reynard/Mercedes-Benz third for PacWest Racing, finished sixth behind Gil de Ferran, Zanardi and Jimmy Vasser. Player's/Forsythe Racing driver Greg Moore also ran well, leading nine laps and looking poised for his first win until a punctured left rear tire forced him to pit after the last restart on lap 200. Like Franchitti, Al Unser Jr. was sidelined by gearbox problems after running as high as fourth in the second Marlboro Penske/Mercedes car. Gugelmin's PacWest Racing teammate Mark Blundell, whose car is backed by event sponsor Motorola, left the race after only 28 laps due to mechanical problems. Mercedes-Benz takes a twenty-point lead in the manufacturers championship to the Miller 200 at The Milwaukee Mile next weekend. Source: CART News Service