Penske notches century as de Ferran wins Nazareth.
Gil de Ferran gave Roger Penske the 100th win of his career as a team boss by winning today's CART race at Nazareth.
The Brazilian crossed the line under heavy pressure from fellow countryman Mauricio Gugelmin as yellow flags set up a sprint to the line. A matter of tenths separated the Penske and PacWest Reynards as the chequer fell, but it was enough to kickstart the much-delayed celebrations in the Marlboro camp. That the result came at the Penske-owned Nazareth facility was a mere bonus for the new centurion.
Gil de Ferran gave Roger Penske the 100th win of his career as a team boss by winning today's CART race at Nazareth.
The Brazilian crossed the line under heavy pressure from fellow countryman Mauricio Gugelmin as yellow flags set up a sprint to the line. A matter of tenths separated the Penske and PacWest Reynards as the chequer fell, but it was enough to kickstart the much-delayed celebrations in the Marlboro camp. That the result came at the Penske-owned Nazareth facility was a mere bonus for the new centurion.
A third Brazilian, Roberto Moreno, looked set to be the closest challenger to an emotional de Ferran, but tagged the wall with just over ten laps to run. Moreno climbed unhurt from his Patrick car, as every available marshal raced to the scene to ensure the debris was cleared so that the race could finish under green.
With Gugelmin claiming the runner-up spot, rookie Kenny Brack grabbed his first podium finish in CART, fending off reigning champion Juan Montoya at the line. Winners of the last two events, Adrian Fernandez and Michael Andretti completed the top six, ahead of the second Ganassi car of Jimmy Vasser, who edges closer to championship leader Paul Tracy by virtue of taking seventh spot.
Remarkably, Tarso Marques scooped the final point for Dale Coyne and Swift despite having to start from the back of the field after not competing in the official qualifying session back in April.
Britons Mark Blundell and Dario Franchitti both suffered races to forget. The PacWest driver crashed out in a tangle with the second Penske of Helio Castro-Neves - thankfully emerging unhurt - while Franchitti failed even to take the start after hitting the wall as the pack approached the green flag.
A full report and results will follow shortly....
Leading finishers - Nazareth CART.
1. Gil de Ferran Penske
2. Mauricio Gugelmin PacWest
3. Kenny Brack Rahal
4. Juan Montoya Ganassi
5. Adrian Fernandez Patrick
6. Michael Andretti Newman-Haas
7. Jimmy Vasser Ganassi
8. Tony Kanaan Mo Nunn
9. Oriol Servia PPI
10. Paul Tracy Green
11. Christian Fittipaldi Newman-Haas
12. Tarso Marques Coyne/Swift
