It's an off-week for the CART gang. A good number of the drivers are probably spending the week at home - on the telephone - trying to organize next year. We shouldn't complain. Think of the interesting rumors being generated about who's gonna get what ride next year.
There's only one race to go this year - and, as noted last week, you've gotta believe the season championship has come down to two drivers: Fernandez and de Ferran. A de Ferran championship would give Team Penske its tenth CART Championship. Here's the contenders, if you will.
As It Stands Now
- Gil de Ferran 153
- Adrian Fernandez 148
- Paul Tracy 134
- Kenny Brack 134
- Roberto Moreno 131
- Jimmy Vasser 131
Then, of course, there's Michael Andretti only another four points back. The way the points are paid out, Tracy and the rest of the group chasing de Ferran and Fernandez need Gil and Adrian to register a DNF.
- 1st pays 20 points
- 2nd pays 16 points
- 3rd pays 14 points
- 4th pays 12 points
- 5th pays 10 points
Here's a scenario for you. With first place paying 20 points and the pole paying 1 point, we could have a tie if de Ferran won the pole, finished last because of trouble, and saw Tracy go on to win the race.
Where Are We Going?
We're going to a place where a driver needs to bring a bucket of courage ...
We're going to Hanford Device country ...
We're going to the Palace that Penske built ... The California Speedway.
Yes, next Sunday the CART teams end the season with a 500 mile run for the championship at Fontana. You can catch it on ESPN here in the USA, 2:30-6 p.m. Eastern.
Why the courage? A two mile oval, Fontana is the home of the fastest lap in competition ever on a closed course. Mauricio Gugelmin cranked one out at over 240 mph when qualifying for the 1997 race.
Who is the favorite? Bet on a Toyota. The last four oval race winners have been Toyota-powered.
No surprise, Juan fast fellow named Montoya has won three of those four races. If fact, as reported by CART, "When Juan Montoya climbs into his Target Toyota Sunday, he'll be looking to become the first driver since CART began in 1979 to win three 500-mile races in one season and just the second open-wheel driver in history. Montoya has already earned wins in the Indianapolis 500 and the Michigan 500 Presented by Toyota. If he wins at Fontana, he'll join Al Unser Sr. as the only two open-wheel drivers to complete a triple crown sweep in one season."
