CHAMPCAR/CART: Patrick Racing Road America preview

JACKSON, MI - - AUGUST 16, 2001 - - Visteon/Patrick Racing heads to this weekend's Motorola 220 at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin with its sights set on the top-10 in the 2001 FedEx Championship Series standings.

With only eight races remaining in the 2001 season each event takes on added significance as Visteon/Patrick Racing drivers Roberto Moreno, who is 12th in the championship standings with 52 points and Jimmy Vasser, who sits 13th with 50 points, begin the climb back into championship contention. The first step is to get back into the top-10 in the points race with strong performances at Elkhart Lake.

Moreno, who is behind the wheel of the #20 Visteon/Patrick Racing Toyota Reynard, has been one of the most consistent drivers this season. The native of Brazil has completed 11 of the 12 races, the most of any driver, and is second in laps and miles completed. He has placed in the points in nine of the 12 races this year including six of the last seven. Moreno has five top-10 finishes with two podium appearances. He has finished in the points in six of seven road/street events with four top-10 showings including both his podiums.

In five previous starts at Road America, the Weston, Florida resident has qualified in the top-10 twice with a best starting position of third in 1985 and 1986. His best finish is fourth, last year.

Vasser, who pilots the #40 Visteon/Patrick Racing Toyota Reynard, started the season impressively finishing in the top-six in the first four races. Since then he has been the victim of bad luck, despite being extremely competitive each time out, finishing in the points just once in his last eight events. Vasser has placed in the top- five four times and in the top-six in five of 12 races this year. He has finished in the top-six in three of seven road/street races.

The native of California will be making his eighth start at Road America. In seven previous races Vasser has qualified in the top-10 twice with a best starting position of sixth in 1999. The Las Vegas, Nevada resident has finished in the top-10 a remarkable five times with two top-five performances and one podium finish, a third in 1995.

In 26 previous starts at Road America Patrick Racing has qualified in the top-10 a total of 16 times with nine top-five starts. Their highest qualifying position is fourth (1982, 1986, 1988, 1998). They have 15 top-10 finishes with nine top-five placements and two wins (Emerson Fittipaldi - 1986 and 1988).

Visteon/Patrick Racing Record On Road/Street Circuits In 2001:

Visteon/Patrick Racing has a strong record on road/street courses this year. After seven road/street course races in 2001, a total of 14 starts, the team has nine points paying finishes with seven top-10 showings and two podiums.

Moreno And Vasser On Road/Street Circuits:

Moreno has finished in the points in 17 of his last 26 road/street course races with 13 top-10 placements, seven top-five showings and five podiums including one victory (career first, and only, Cleveland 2000). In 96 CART career road/street races, Vasser has finished in the points 56 times with 49 top-10 finishes, 25 top-five showings, 14 podium appearances and four wins.

Consistency Key For Vasser And Moreno:

Vasser has started 159 CART races with 91 top-10 finishes including 26 podium showings. He has finished 92 of his last 115 races placing in the points 86 times (dating to Milwaukee `95). Moreno has finished in the top-10 in 23 of his last 45 starts and in the points 31 times.

Patrick Racing Scores High In Reliability:

Combining the stats of Moreno and Vasser, Patrick Racing is tied for second in finishes (18). They are third in laps completed (2973) and fourth in miles completed (4578.727), and sixth in points (102).

-PR