Gonzalo Rodriguez, Greg Moore and the 1999 CART Season

Posted by Kevin Guthrie Sep 11, 2009

I have a couple of pictures on the wall behind my computer, sharing the same frame. One is signed by Gonzalo Rodriguez and the other by Greg Moore. Today is the 10th anniversary of Gonzalo's death, in a freakish accident at Laguna Seca. I didn't know much about the guy at the time, but I avidly followed CART during those years. The fact that Roger Penske hired Gonzalo's services says a lot about his ability.

I knew a whole lot more about Greg, having followed his CART career with great interest. In my eyes he was the most exciting young driver of his generation and destined for a glittering career. For such a young man he was remarkably mature. Putting family before jet-setting and gaining experience before leaping into the piranha pool of Formula 1.

When Greg's accident occurred I was watching and my heart sank. It is a feeling I have never encountered again while watching racing. Like so many other fans of his around the globe I realised immediately that there was little or no hope. My interest in Indycars has never been the same since. Gonzalo and Greg will be on many people's minds over the next few weeks. Thanks for the entertainment.