Race No. 10
Medic Drug Grand Prix of Cleveland
Cleveland, OH
June 30, 1996
Keep 'em SeparatedIn 1995, the Cleveland Grand Prix being as wide-open as it is, provided as much contact as an NFL football game. The start was marred by contact just as the green flag flew and the day would see Robby Gordon and Jacques Villeneuve four-wheeling it through the grass on more than one occassion. Gil de Ferran had the race in hand until attempting to lap Scott Pruett. That incident took him out of the race and there was personal "contact" between de Ferran and Pruett off the track. And if that was not enough, in the post-race cool down lap Robby Gordon deliberately hit Michael Andretti's car resulting in Robby being fined and Andretti being placed on probation. Andretti had a field-day of taps, smacks and punts. Though some of the fans are rebuking the new restart rules implemented by IndyCar officials beginning at the U.S. 500, they have (so far) provided for safer starts and restarts, so I don't see a repeat of last year's start at Burkefront Lake. And now a look at the top-ten drivers: Vasser: Surprisingly a non-performer since the U.S. 500. At Portland, Jimmy's 13th place finish garnered zero points. The rest of the top-five are hot, HOT on Vasser's tail. Unser: Mr. Consistent of 1996 has kept Al in the points chase. Al is in serious need for a win to hold off Andretti, but he needs to qualify well at Cleveland. The Penske drivers are looking at a long weekend on this extremely bumpy circuit. Andretti: If Michael keeps his nose clean and intact he'll be there at the end. Winning 3 of the last 5 races has launched Andretti into the battle for the PPG Cup. C. Fittipaldi: Christian is placing himself for a possible come from behind win for the PPG IndyCar Championship. A win or two will place him on top and he really showed his stuff at Detroit. de Ferran: Should have won this race in 1995, but Gil has been kinda quiet sans Long Beach this year. Could be a sleeper comeback champ, but I doubt it. Pruett: Bad luck from hell has struck Scott Pruett. Very strong at the start of season, but with rain vs. Firestone in addition to exploding Cosworth's have hurt Pruett in a big way, but a pole at Cleveland and a win could turn things around for this driver. Ribeiro: With exactly half the points of Vasser, Andre is pretty much out of the hunt. Even the Honda power will not rekindle Ribeiro's hunt for the Cup. Moore: Greg is no Jacques Villeneuve. Many people had made that comparison at the start of the season. Though he's looking pretty good for the Rookie of the Year crown, Greg has a long way to go and might lose that crown to Alex Zanardi. Tracy: Paul, Paul, Paul.....He has been with the top-two teams in IndyCar and still cannot produce a championship. Tracy always seems to get himself in trouble of one kind or another. If Tracy finishes Cleveland, he'll finish it hobbled and hunting for a ride in 1997.
Rahal: There comes a time when the driver/owner should
become "owner." This is that time for Rahal. Time to give it up,
Bobby.
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