SBRS: Putnam Park preview

<pre> WHAT: Rounds 7 and 8 [of 13] of 2001 Formula Dodge National Championship

WHEN: Round 7; Qualifying Friday, August 3 at 9:00AM (30 minutes) Round 8 Qualifying Saturday, August 4 at 9:00AM (30 minutes)

RACE START: Round 7; Saturday, August 4 at 1:00PM (30 minutes) Round 8; Sunday, August 5 at 9:00AM (30 minutes)

WHERE: Putnam Park, Indiana

WHO: 22 drivers from four different countries </pre> (Mount Meridian, Ind.) August 1, 2001 - Twenty-two racers prepare for seventh and eighth round action in the 2001 Formula Dodge National Championship Presented by RACER on the 1.77 mile road course of Putnam Park. The series is in its first season as the Official Amateur National Championship of CART.

The field features seven returning drivers from last year, four Barber-CART Karting Scholarship winners and some of the brightest and quickest young talent in North America. Second year racers are Damian Della-Santina, Dan Di Leo, Leonardo Maia, Juan Manuel Polar, Scott Presti, Tophie Stewart and Landon Yee. The Barber-CART Karting Scholarship winners, A.J. Allmendinger, Tommy Contino, James Gue and Ben Moore, represent the four most deserving karters selected in the Barber-CART Karting Scholarship Runoff. Each driver earned a fully funded season to contest the Formula Dodge National Championship, a cumulative value package worth over $160,000.

The premise of the series is to contribute to the health and prosperity of American open-wheel racing. Grouping these talented racers fosters competition and ultimately raises each driver's game. Entering its second year of action, the identically prepared Formula Dodge R/T 2000 will run with wings, Michelin slicks and a five-speed sequential gearbox.

All racers are eyeing the top prize to be awarded at season's end. The winner receives the Formula Dodge National Championship Barber-CART Scholarship, a fully funded season to contest the subsequent Barber Dodge Pro Series, a value estimated at over $185,000.

-Barber Dodge