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©1998 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc. The Arciero-WellsChampionship Auto Racing Teams Champ Car teamannounced today it has signed Scott Pruett for the 1999-2000FedEx Championship Series seasons. Pruett will team withthree-year MCI Racing Team/Arciero-Wells veteran MaxPapis on the two-car Toyota team. "Scott brings additional maturity and focus to our partnershipwith Toyota, MCI and our ever improving developmentprogram. His unique understanding of the dynamics ofChamp Car racing is unequaled in the industry. He will go along way in teaming with Max Papis to take Toyota to thefront," said Cal Wells III. "We at Toyota have followed Scott's career since hisparticipation in the Toyota Pro-Celebrity Race in Long Beachin 1984," said Les Unger, Toyota Motor Sports NationalMotorsports Manager. "His accomplishments throughout thepast 15 years are impressive. We expect him to be atremendous addition to the Arciero-Wells and Toyota ChampCar program." Pruett, known for his consistency, has enjoyed a stable10-year career in CART competition and has competed andwon in various forms of racing since 1981. In his 10 seasons,he has raced with four teams, winning two events and threepoles. Pruett also has spent several years serving as a testand development driver for Firestone Tires, helping advanceits racing tire program. He also has won championships inIMSA and SCCA Trans-Am competition. He has raced forPatrick Racing since 1994. He currently is in sixth place in theFedEx Championship Series points standings. This season,he has finished in the top 10 six times, including three timeson the podium. "I'm really glad that Scott Pruett is joining the MCI/Toyotateam," said Papis. "I am especially pleased because he issuch a solid person, both on the human side as well as thetechnical and professional side. He will help theArciero-Wells/MCI/Toyota team achieve the goals it isworking toward for success in the future."
"One of the things that was a major consideration to go toArciero-Wells was that I would be able to remain withFirestone. I began developing that relationship in karting andover the years it has blossomed into being something morethan a business relationship. I am proud to have been thedriver to bring Bridgestone/Firestone back to CART racingand even more proud to have captured their first CARTvictory. "I have been with Ford for almost 15 years and I have alwaysrespected the hard work and dedication the Ford MotorCompany has put into its racing programs. It is companieslike Ford that make racing what it is today throughout theworld. Without companies like Ford and its staff of dedicatedprofessionals, drivers like myself would not be able to pursuetheir dreams. "I am looking forward to working with Frank Arciero, Cal Wellsand the entire Arciero-Wells team. Max (Papis) is a talented,determined driver and I know we will be great teammates. It isa quality team that has and continues to work very hard toplace themselves in a position to be competitive for manyyears to come. I am equally excited to join forces once againwith Lee White (General Manager, Toyota RacingDevelopment) and help with the continued development of theToyota engine. "I am confident we will enjoy many more years of success withthe Arciero-Wells team, Toyota and Bridgestone/Firestone." Source: CART News Service | ||
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