NA-F2000: Mid-Ohio Preview

SERIES RETURNS TO MID-OHIO SPORTS CAR COURSE SATURDAY

The United States Formula 2000 National Championship resumes this weekend at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, when the 11th of 14 rounds is conducted on the twisting 2.25-mile circuit. A 20-lap contest is slated to start at 3 p.m. Practice is set for Friday from 9:30-10 a.m., with qualifying from 4:45-5:45 p.m. A final Saturday morning practice is also set for 8-8:30 a.m. Australian David Besnard continues to lead the series standings with victories at Phoenix, Ariz., Homestead, Fla., Watkins Glen, N.Y., and June 14 at Mid-Ohio already on his resume. He is 19 points ahead of Ryan Hampton, who has victories at Watkins Glen and Charlotte, N.C. (2), with Homestead winner Robby McGehee third in the points. The only other driver to crack the winner's circle this year is Jonathan Bottoms, the June 28 winner at Minneapolis, Minn.

Formula 2000 National Point Standings: 1-David Besnard-273; 2-Ryan Hampton-254; 3-Robby McGehee-183; 4-Andy Lally-181; 5-Mike Johnson-151; 6-Marc-Antoine Camirand-150; 7-Steve Rikert-137; 8-Bobby Oergel-131; 9-Jonathan Bottoms-126; 10-Sam Hornish-116.

Formula 2000 Oval Crown Point Standings: 1-David Besnard-110; 2-Ryan Hampton-101; 3-Robby McGehee-91; 4-Andy Lally-78; 5-Sam Hornish-68; 6-Jonathan Bottoms-60; 7-Bobby Oergel-56; 8-Mike Johnson-53; 9-Ric Rushton-51; 10-James Yott-44.