IndyCar
Long Beach: Chip Ganassi Racing preview
Rich History: TCGR has a long history of success at Long Beach as they raced there every year from 1990-2002 (13 seasons) in the former CART Series. TCGR has won the race five times (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2009). Jimmy Vasser won in 1996 and Alex ...
Published: Apr 15, 2010, 6:37 PM
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Rich History: TCGR has a long history of success at Long Beach as they raced there every year from 1990-2002 (13 seasons) in the former CART Series. TCGR has won the race five times (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2009). Jimmy Vasser won in 1996 and Alex Zanardi won back-to-back races in 1997 & 1998. Current Target NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Juan Pablo Montoya won in 1999 and reigning IZOD IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti won in 2009. Coincidentally, every TCGR driver that has won the GPLB has gone on to win the championship.
By the Numbers: Team Target has claimed five wins, nine top-fives and 16 top-10s at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
Managing Director Mike Hull on Long Beach: "The Long Beach Grand Prix, or simply referred to as "The Race" by native Southern Californians, has special meaning for all of us at TCGR. Its history and tradition sets it apart from other races. Winning helps to place teams and drivers in a special category. Probably one of most the impressive Target drives ever was Zanardi's drive to win from a lap down -- the TV guys, teams, and race fans had a tough time understanding his magic with that one, but everyone at Target relished in the donuts. Long Beach is a Big Race -- we're looking forward to Sunday."
Dario Franchitti and the No. 10 Target Team
Target Car Returns at Long Beach: Dario will be back in a Target car this weekend sporting the traditional red and white paint scheme. The No. 10 car last ran the Target paint scheme at the season-opening race in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Dario at Long Beach: Franchitti competed in six CART races at Long Beach (1997-2002). He had a best finish of second in 1998 and 1999, with a best start of second in 1999. In the IZOD IndyCar Series' first visit to Long Beach in 2009, Franchitti qualified second and led 51 laps to score the victory.
Strong on Street Circuits: Franchitti scored the pole at the season opening event in Sao Paulo, Brazil and finished seventh after a rainstorm forced an unscheduled pit stop mid-race. Franchitti began the second street circuit of the season in St. Petersburg, Fla. in but fell to 23rd when he spun under slick track conditions on lap one. He worked his way up to sixth before a flat left rear tire would force a pit stop and drop him to 19th. He made an impressive charge to the front -- passing seven cars in the final 11 laps to finish fifth.
Barber Recap: Franchitti lined-up seventh at the Indy Grand Prix of Alabama and worked his way to fourth after making a wing adjustment on the team's first stop. He would go on to finish third behind Dixon.
Scott Dixon and the No. 9 Target Team
Former Long Beach Winner: Dixon won the 2000 Indy Lights race at Long Beach. He had a best finish of 18th in two CART starts (2001, 2002) at the track, with a best start of 18th in 2002. In the IZOD IndyCar Series' first race at Long Beach in 2009, Dixon started sixth and finished 15th.
Street Course Rewind: Dixon ran strong through the Streets of Sao Paulo, Brazil to finish sixth after starting seventh. Dixon started third at the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and ran at the front of the field throughout the beginning stages of the race, pacing the field for 21 laps. He had the No. 9 Target car running in fourth place when contact with the wall on lap 74 ended his day.
Barber Recap: Dixon started fifth at the Indy Grand Prix of Alabama and got a great jump at the start, but was ordered by IRL officials to relinquish the position and settle back into his original grid position. He would run in the top three throughout the 90-lap event before securing a second place result.
Pit Performer Award: The No. 9 Target team earned the Firestone Pit Performer Award at the Indy Grand Prix of Alabama for their quick action on pit road with a combined time of 56.559 seconds.
-source: cgr
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