SpeedCenter News Archive 1999

 
December
1999
  Dec. 22, 1999

Atlantic Driver Bordin Tests Champ Car at Firebird
PPI's Atlantics driver gets Christmas present

Dec. 21, 1999

CART News Roundup
Notes and Quotes from Championship Auto Racing Teams

CART Optimistic About New Millenium
Positive Trends identified

Dec. 20, 1999

AAR Not to Compete in CART in 2000
Dan Gurney announces restructuring of AAR's efforts

Dec. 16, 1999

CART News Roundup
Notes and Quotes from Championship Auto Racing Teams

Brack Logs First Miles
Rahal's new driver tests at Sebring

Dec. 14, 1999

Moreno Signed by Patrick
Super-Sub has a full-time ride for 2000

Dec. 9, 1999

CART News Roundup
Notes and Quotes from Championship Auto Racing Teams

Dec. 8, 1999

Mo Nunn Announces Formation of CART FedEx Team
Mercedes/Reynard package team is based in Indianapolis

Engineer Diane Holl Joins Della Penna Motorsports
Winning engineer continues to work with Reynard cars

Dec. 6, 1999

Tagliani Impresses in First Test
Canadian rookie starts testing on Sebring road circuit

Dec. 2, 1999

McDonald's Championship Racing to Field Factory Swift
Team announces 2000 package for CART FedEx Championship Series

Walker Racing Signs F-1 Veteran Nakano for 2000
Team returns with Honda power

Dec. 1, 1999

CART News Roundup
Notes and Quotes from Championship Auto Racing Teams


November
1999
  Nov. 30, 1999

Another Karting Event
Gidley to run shifter kart in Hawaii

Nov. 29, 1999

The Big CART Explosion in Cologne
A true "super-prix" after all...

Nov. 24, 1999

CART News Roundup
Notes and Quotes from Championship Auto Racing Teams

Nov. 21, 1999

Player's Makes Switch to Ford Power
Team hopes the switch will help them to regain championship form

Nov. 18, 1999

FedEx Championship Series Happenings
Notes and Quotes from Championship Auto Racing Teams

Nov. 17, 1999

Gordon's Move to NASCAR Official
Gordon "excited to return to NASCAR country"

Nov. 16, 1999

Herdez And Bettenhausen Team Up For 2000
Jourdain Jr. to pilot Herdez Lola Mercedes

Bill Lester Chosen for Indy Lights Test
CART African-American Driver Development Program continues

Nov. 11, 1999

Della Penna Motorsports Helps Children Reach for the Winner's Circle

Nov. 10, 1999

Kenny Brack Joins Team Rahal as Shell Driver
1999 Indy 500 champion and 1998 IRL champion to compete full time in CART

Brack and Halliday Sign With Rahal
Interview with Rahal and Brack

Nov. 9, 1999

CART Releases 1999 TV Numbers
Audience increased by 5 percent

Nov. 8, 1999

Castro-Neves Joins Marlboro Team Penske
As Hogan Racing closes doors, driver takes Greg Moore's seat at Penske

Nov. 5, 1999

CART Announces 20-Race Schedule for 2000
Month of May left open to facilitate Indy 500 participation

CART's 2000 Schedule Leaves Indy Weekend Open
Several CART teams may compete at the speedway

Nov. 2, 1999

A Sad Weekend in the Desert Closes the 1999 CART Season
AAR season closing statement

Nov. 1, 1999

Player's Statement Following Moore Accident


October
1999
  Oct. 31, 1999

Moore's Death Shakes Very Foundations of CART
Entire "CART Family" mourns

Canadian Driver Greg Moore Dies at Marlboro 500
Race acccident claims life of youngest driver to win CART event

CART Expands Driver Outreach Program to Include Women
Lyn St. James partners with CART to identify candidates

Oct. 27, 1999

CART 3rd Quarter Earnings at Record Levels
CART announces record revenues, net income and earnings

CART African-American Driver Development Program Concludes Inaugural Test Session

Oct. 26, 1999

Patrick Carpentier and Alexandre Tagliani Confirmed for Player's Team
Tagliani chosen to replace Moore

Goodyear Will Not Return as Tire Supplier to CART and IRL in 2000
Will periodically reevaluate decision to exit open-wheel racing in North America

Oct. 25, 1999

Craftsman Pit Crew Challenge Finalists Set for Fontana
Trophy and Check for $50,000 to be Awarded at CART Finale

Oct. 23, 1999

Cosworth Racing to Build Engines for NASCAR Bush Series
PPI Motorsports to Lease Engines for McDonald's Racing Busch Program

Oct. 20, 1999

Team Kool Green at the Top of the Game
Putting pressure on the Ganassi organization

Oct. 19, 1999

Hawaiin Super Prix Cancelled
CART names promoter's financial problems as reason

Oct. 11, 1999

Honda to Supply Penske in 2000
Marlboro Team Penske to be powered by engine that won last three PPG Cups

Oct. 6, 1999

Pruett to NASCAR in 2000
Veteran CART driver to compete in new Tide Ford team

CART Announces New Aerodynamic Package
Handford MkII Device to be used at eight events in 2000

Oct. 4, 1999

Silly Season Central: Herta to Gurney
Rumor suggests Herta to drive Eagle with Ford power in 2000

Oct. 2, 1999

Craig to Visit Germany
Lausitzring visit and other CART news

Player's Scratches Atlantics Team
Full focus on CART championship in 2000


September
1999
  Sept. 30, 1999

CART Extends Contracts with Long Beach, Road America
Long Beach contract through 2005, Road America through 2003

Sept. 29, 1999

Della Penna Looking for New Primary Sponsor
Budweiser doesn't renew for 2000 season

Sept. 25, 1999

Montoya Captures Series-Leading Seventh Pole at Houston
Rookie ties '93 record set by Nigel Mansell

Kenny Brack on Rahal's Shortlist
At this time no contract signed

CART Boosts Ladder System
Post-Season tests to reward champions in Lights and Atlantics

Sept. 21, 1999

Challis to Join Team Kool Green in 2000
Barry Green strenghtens teams's engineering staff

Sept. 14, 1999

CART Will Return to Cleveland in 2000
Cleveland Mayor annouces agreement has been reached

CART Statement In Regard To Rodriguez Accident
No conclusions have at this time

Sept. 11, 1999

Rodriguez Dies in Practice Accident
Penske withdraws both entries from event

Sept. 4, 1999

Sixth Pole for Montoya
Approaching CART rookie record of seven poles

Sept. 3, 1999

Bentham, Tagliani, and Empringham to Contend for Moore's Seat
Player's Team to decide Moore successor after extensive tests

Penske to Run Reynards in 2000
Fontana will be last race of Penske chassis

Sept. 2, 1999

Moore Homecoming Not Sweet
Driver going to Vancouver sore after crash


August
1999
  August 17, 1999

Boesel to Drive For Gurney
Gurney taps third driver's talents this season

August 15, 1999

Gordon to Run Eagle at Chicago, Fontana
Team expects performance gains on ovals

August 9, 1999

Injury Forces Carpentier to Sit Out Mid Ohio Race
Injury worse than assumed initially

CART Launches African-American Driver Development Program
David Francis Jr. selected as first driver

August 8, 1999

Fernandez Breaks Arm
Out of the cockpit for several weeks

August 7, 1999

Penske Announces 2000 Driver Lineup
Moore and de Ferran to bring Penske back to winner's circle

August 4, 1999

Fittipaldi Sidelined Until Houston
Unable to compete for a minimum of 8 weeks due to subdural hematoma

Jan Magnussen to Replace PJ Jones at Detroit
Patrick gets "second opinion" on Swift chassis development

August 3, 1999

Fittipaldi to Miss Detroit Event
Testing accident knocks Newman/Haas driver unconscious


July
1999
  July 28, 1999

CART to Sponsor Karting Event
Press Release: CART partners with Momo Grand Prix

July 20, 1999

Moore's Troubles and the Silly Season
Canadian star's lack of success affects his Y2K options

July 15, 1999

AAR Announces Driver Change
Salles to finish season, while Barron accepts Penske offer

July 10, 1999

Andretti Earns Pole at Road America
Veteran successfully defends 1998 pole

Gordon And Barron to Race Karts
CART drivers will compete in Celebrity karting event

July 2, 1999

Walker Racing Looking for New Sponsor in 2000
Valvoline scales back CART sponsorship program

July 1, 1999

Forsythe Drivers Lead the Pack at Mid Ohio
Moore and Kanaan both below track record


June
1999
  June 30, 1999

CART Extends Mid Ohio Contract, Drops Cleveland
CART plans to add new race in new market

Carpentier Fastest at Mid Ohio Test
Canadian sets the pace on first day of two-day test

June 29, 1999

JJ Lehto Testing for Patrick at Mid Ohio
Team is soliciting a "second opinion" on Swift chassis

Fifteen Drivers at Mid Ohio Test
Large attendance at two-day CART Open Test

Skip Barber Supports Motorsports Diversification Program
Former host of Inside CART leads effort to increase minority participation in motorsports

June 16, 1999

Gurney Solicits "Second Opinion"
Gualter Salles to run the AAR car for the next three races

Target Team Pleased with 3-Day Fontana Test
Vasser logs over 800 miles at California Speedway

June 15, 1999

Hawaiian Holiday
Big Mo makes first ever laps at Hawaiian Super Prix circuit

Vasser and Montoya Expecting Big Things in Portland
Disappointment in Milwaukee increases desire to win as season nears half-way point

June 8, 1999

CART Officials Reach Decision on Milwaukee Result
Adjusted provisional result becomes official

June 7, 1999

Helmet Saves Andretti's Vent Man
Crew member only bruised after being run over during refueling


May
1999
  May 21, 1999

Walker Racing To Field Second Car
Memo Gidley to fill in for injured Naoki Hattori

May 20, 1999

Della Penna Motorsports Switches to Reynard Chassis
Team to use a '98 Reynard at St. Louis

Another Record in Reach
Montoya aims for fourth straight victory at Gateway

May 15, 1999

Blundell Sidelined Four to Six Weeks
Injury delays Blundell's return to CART competition

CART Requires Wheel Tethers Starting at St. Louis Race
Safety improvement to prevent tires from being launched

May 14, 1999

Gordon Starts in Back After Practice Incident
Without practice backup car was no option

May 13, 1999

Moreno to Replace Blundell at Rio
Recovering Blundell back at Gateway

May 10, 1999

Penske Motorsports and International Speedway Corporation to Merge
Combined company to control 10 motorsport facilities

May 7, 1999

Blundell Crashes in Testing
PacWest driver scapes injury in heavy crash at Gateway

May 4, 1999

Cal Wells to Run Winston Cup Team
McDonald's and PPI enter agreement to field Ford-powered entry


April
1999
  April 27, 1999

Team Target Completes Successful Test At Milwaukee's One-Mile Oval
Juan is "getting the hang of it"

April 17, 1999

Reynard or Swift?
"Could be the toss of a coin"

April 15, 1999

Still No Player's Agreement
Cars without logos at Long Beach

April 8, 1999

Andretti and Montoya Crash in Practice
No injuries, but heated arguments after wreck

April 2, 1999

Hawaiian Super Prix Brings Showcar to State Capitol
Champ Car to bolster local support for event

Major Sponsor Signs on for Karting Event
Planned Irvine, CA karting event keeps growing

Marquez to Drive Penske at Motegi
Brazilian impressed during Nazareth test


March
1999
  March 31, 1999

Nazareth Testing Continues
Alex Barron on top of the speed charts on Monday

McDonald's Car Goes Native
Kanaan's car to feature Japanese McDonald's logo in Motegi

March 30, 1999

Marquez in Penske at Nazareth Test
Rookie fast on Penske-owned track

March 29, 1999

Gugelmin Tests at Nazareth
New wing regulations "like driving a bicycle at 200mph"

March 24, 1999

Open Wheels to Come to Irvine Spectrum Center
Televised karting event to attract pros and amateurs alike

Jourdain Jr. Tests in Nazareth
First time with speedway wings on the small oval

Al Unser Jr. and Naoki Hattori on the Injured List
First lap accident sidelines two drivers

March 18, 1999

Speedcenter Re-Names as Champcar.Com
New domain name to be followed by many improvements

No Player's at Miami
Philip Morris USA forces Player's Racing Team to drop brand name

March 14, 1999

Tony Cicale Returns to Team Kool Green
Championship-winning engineer returns as consultant

March 12, 1999

Not an Ordinary Season Opener for Team Gordon
Robby Gordon arrives at first race as owner/driver for first time

Ganassi Aims at Fourth Championship
Target/Chip Ganassi Racing's desire to win is just as strong, after three consecutive cups

March 11, 1999

Rahal Behind the Wall
Former owner/driver faces a new role at the track

March 10, 1999

Patrick Continues Swift Development
Team makes progress with new car, but more testing needed

March 7, 1999

PacWest's Final Test at Homestead
Gugelmin and Blundell conclude 3-day Homestead oval test

Fernandez Clocks Fastest Lap at Homestead
'98 Reynard fastest car in pre-season testing

Team Gordon Turning Left
First oval test for new team

March 6, 1999

Successful Test For New Eagle Chassis
AAR sorts out new chassis at Sebring

March 5, 1999

Vasser and Montoya Gear Up for GP of Miami
Ganassi drivers prepared for season opener

New Lola Back at Homestead
Jourdain satisfied with '99 Lola performance

CART in Washington
National Townhall Meeting kicks off two-day national safety conference

March 4, 1999

Final Test for Player's Team Before Season Opener
Dry and wet road test at Firebird

March 3, 1999

Blundell Confident Following Florida Tests
720 miles at Sebring and Homestead prepare for the season

Surgery Sidelines Herta
Driver recovers from emergency appendectomy

March 1, 1999

Jourdain Tests '99 Lola
First run in '99 Lola at Homestead

Team Gordon Tests New Car
First shakedown of Swift-Toyota at Laguna Seca successful


February
1999
  Feb. 27, 1999

Newman/Haas Choose Firestone
Team's long-term Goodyear relationship ends just weeks before first race

Payton Files Suit against Partner Coyne
Stock sale profit sharing the issue

Feb. 26, 1999

Hawaiian Super Prix Brings CART to 50th State
Unprecedented $10 million purse heralds long-awaited return of auto racing to Hawaii

Feb. 25, 1999

CART Annouces Hawaiian Super Prix
$5 million for the winner in non-points race

Laguna Seca Testing Wrapup
Team Rahal dominates CART Open Test at Laguna Seca

Oval Racing to Come to England
New 1.5 mile speedway to be constructed in 2000

Feb. 24, 1999

Herta Fast at Laguna Seca Test
Many drivers present at two-day CART-sanctioned test

New CART Magazine
Racer to launch Champ Car Magazine

Feb. 23, 1999

Jourdain Tests in Mexico
Herdez Team completes 2 day test in Mexico

Feb. 22, 1999

Player's Team Gets Used to Bumps
Player's CART team conducts private testing on Sebring, Florida street circuit

Feb. 17, 1999

Winning Team Promotes Staff
Target/Chip Ganassi Racing Promotes Hill and Hodgson

Feb. 12, 1999

Indy Car and Championship Magazine becomes: Championship Racing Magazine
Established magazine refocuses on CART Fedex Series

Feb. 10, 1999

Unser Jr.'s Daughter Hospitalized
Cody Unser has rare condition called transverse myelitis

Feb. 8, 1999

Player's Team Tests New Mercedes Engine
Results "very encouraging"

Drive-Thru Crew Fast at Sebring
Kanaan betters his best time at Sebring

Feb. 6, 1999

Spring Training Summary
Not everyone is up to speed yet

Feb. 4, 1999

Team Gordon Selects Firestone for 1999
Now 20 Firestone cars in CART field


January
1999
  January 29, 1999

Raul Boesel to Drive for Kool Green at Homestead
Veteran fills in for suspended Tracy

January 27, 1999

Hogan Signs Castro-Neves
Lehto released from contract

January 26, 1999

De Ferran Tests '99 Honda
First test with new powerplant at Firebird

Gugelmin Prepares For Spring Training
One productive day at Homestead

January 24, 1999

Tire Testing at Laguna Seca
Fittipaldi and Unser Jr. test in California

January 22, 1999

In Case You're "Gone Fishing"
Set your VCR's: US and Canandian TV schedule for '99

January 19, 1999

Forsythe and Tasman Motorsports Group Merge Forces
Car and sponsorship program to be unveiled at Spring Training

January 16, 1999

Testing Action at Sebring
A new face and some unpainted cars

January 14, 1999

Gil de Ferran Fastest at Sebring Test
Team impressed with Gooyear

Phoenix Oval Test Successful for PacWest Racing Group
Gugelmin's first run with new short oval aero package

Productive Test for Team Kool Green
Tracy runs 225 laps at Homestead

January 12, 1999

Team Gordon in Place for '99 CART FedEx Championship Series
Menards, Panasonic, Johns Manville, and Duracell to sponsor the team

January 10, 1999

"Drive Day" in Las Vegas
PacWest's own version of the Ultimate Ride

Jourdain Jr. to Test at Sebring
New Lola/Ford/Firestone package on road course in Florida

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