IndyCar
CHAMPCAR/CART: Mid-Ohio notes
> From IndyCar media relations Miller 200 Notebook Jan Magnussen and Max Papis made their PPG Indy Car World Series career debuts Sunday in the Miller 200 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Magnussen, driving for the injured Paul Tracy in ...
Edited: Mar 27, 2008, 5:35 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
> From IndyCar media relations
Miller 200 Notebook
Jan Magnussen and Max Papis made their PPG Indy Car World Series career debuts Sunday in the Miller 200 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
Magnussen, driving for the injured Paul Tracy in this event only, started 18th and finished 14th in the Marlboro Penske Mercedes for Penske Racing. Magnussen, despite a late-race incident with rookie Mark Blundell (VISA/PacWest Reynard Ford), was able to complete his first IndyCar start and finished two laps off the lead pace.
"My first IndyCar race was okay; it was a lot like my first Formula One race [1995, Aida, Japan] except for the yellows, of course," said Magnussen, a 23-year-old Dane. "Before the first pit stop, there was a big push in the Marlboro car, but we were able to correct it by adding some front wing. On Lap 64, I was going into the hairpin and the No. 21 car [Blundell] went inside and hit my right front, which put me off course. It was strange to get stuck in the gravel and be able to get out and continue the race. All in all, I learned a lot this weekend and really enjoyed myself."
Papis, who replaced the late Jeff Krosnoff for Arciero-Wells Racing, was not as fortunate as Magnussen in his debut. Papis retired after completing 40 of the 83 laps due to engine problems with the MCI Reynard Toyota. He started 19th and finished 24th.
"We had several problems today with the car, but that is part of developing a new engine," said Papis, a 26-year-old Italian. "This is what we have to expect. It has been a fun weekend, though. This is a very competitive series, and I feel like I am in a good place. We'll be back next weekend."
Magnussen will drive the final three event s of the PPG Indy Car World Series season for Hogan Penske Racing as the replacement for the injured Emerson Fittipaldi. Tracy, out with a chip fracture of a cervical vertebra, will be evaluated on a weekly basis. Papis will drive in two of the final three events for Arciero-Wells. He will miss the Molson Indy Vancouver on Sept. 1 due to a conflict with his IMSA schedule.
* THE "I's" HAVE IT AGAIN
Unless one's surname ends in an "i," it may be time for drivers to consider a name change if they want a real opportunity to win the Miller 200. Rookie Alex Zanardi (Target Reynard Honda) became the ninth driver in the event's 15-year history with a surname ending in the vowel to win the Miller 200. The others were Teo Fabi (1983, '89), Mario Andretti ('84), Emerson Fittipaldi ('88, '92-93) and Michael Andretti ('90-91).
* CHAMPIONSHIP UPDATES
The United States, paced by Jimmy Vasser's runnerup finish, extended its lead over Brazil to 226-182 in the Nation's Cup. Canada is third with 98, but Italy, thanks to Zanardi, is closing with 86. ... Honda's fifth consecutive victory allowed it to further pad its advantage over Ford, 225-180, in the Manufacturer's Championship. Honda needs 15 points to clinch the title as early as next week at the Texaco/Havoline 200. Mercedes-Benz is challenging Ford for second with 170 points. ... Zanardi helped Reynard extend its lead in the Constructor's Championship. Reynard now leads Lola, 226-206. Penske is third with 121. ... Zanardi gained a maximum 22 points to break a tie with Greg Moore (Player's/Indeck Reynard Mercedes) for the Rookie of the Year points lead. Zanardi leads, 94-76. Blundell is third with 40.
* ODDS AND ENDS
The victory was the fifth in a row for Honda engines, matching the longest streak in the PPG Indy Car World Series since Chevrolet in 1992. ... Zanardi's victory for Target/Chip Ganassi Racing snapped a four-year Miller 200 victory streak by Penske Racing. This race also marked only the second time in the last 10 seasons that a Penske entry has not visited the podium. Al Unser Jr. (Marlboro Penske Mercedes) finished 13th and Magnussen 14th.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article CHAMPCAR/CART: Fittipaldi released from hospital
Next article CHAMPCAR/CART: Laguna Seca corner worker report
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Emerson Fittipaldi
Team Penske and Chevrolet announce multi-year extension of IndyCar partnership
IndyCar
IndyCar
Team Penske and Chevrolet announce multi-year extension of IndyCar partnership
Emerson Fittipaldi on Jochen Rindt’s death and how he became Team Lotus’ F1 leader
Formula 1
Formula 1
Emerson Fittipaldi on Jochen Rindt’s death and how he became Team Lotus’ F1 leader
More from
Team Penske
Palou pushes IndyCar’s IR-28 chassis to the limit in rugged Sebring test
IndyCar
IndyCar
Palou pushes IndyCar’s IR-28 chassis to the limit in rugged Sebring test
'Team Cadillac' strategy delivers dual IMSA manufacturer titles for General Motors
IMSA
IMSA
Petit Le Mans
'Team Cadillac' strategy delivers dual IMSA manufacturer titles for General Motors
You Ask The Questions: David Malukas
IndyCar
You Ask The Questions: David Malukas
Latest news
Kaden Honeycutt wins incident-free Phoenix NASCAR Truck race, extends points lead
NASCAR Truck
NSTR NASCAR Truck
Phoenix
3 h
Kaden Honeycutt wins incident-free Phoenix NASCAR Truck race, extends points lead
GTA VI 'Vice City' blimp to appear at NASCAR championship weekend
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
8 h
GTA VI 'Vice City' blimp to appear at NASCAR championship weekend
Verstappen Racing struggles to 15th as Porsche takes emotional Portimao pole
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance
WCEE GT World Challenge Europe Endurance 9 h
Verstappen Racing struggles to 15th as Porsche takes emotional Portimao pole
Franco Colapinto urges fans to stop the abuse: “You’re not helping me or my future”
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
14 h
Franco Colapinto urges fans to stop the abuse: “You’re not helping me or my future”
Feature
Discover prime content
Inside AJ Foyt Racing’s transition: Hauger’s arrival, Ferrucci’s future, and the Pierson waiting game
Feature
IndyCar
Feature
IndyCar
By Joey Barnes
Inside AJ Foyt Racing’s transition: Hauger’s arrival, Ferrucci’s future, and the Pierson waiting game
You Ask The Questions: David Malukas
IndyCar
By Joey Barnes
You Ask The Questions: David Malukas
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe