Team Motorola: Houston Grand Prix Preview.

Michael Andretti and Team Motorola are eager to take on the streets of Houston this weekend for the Texaco/ Havoline Grand Prix. Andretti's best finish on the 1.53-mile temporary street course was a third place effort in 1999 and he is eager for a repeat of his podium finish this weekend. "We've been quietly scratching our way to the front in the championship fight," said Andretti. "And we can't afford to finish out of the points this weekend in Houston. It would be nice to be on the podium and stay up front for the championship."

Andretti and Team Motorola are currently in third place in the CART Fed Ex Championship Series points race after their fifth place finish September 22nd in The Rockingham 500 held at the Rockingham Motor Speedway in Corby, England. Andretti and Helio Cast
roneves were originally tied in points following the Rockingham 500 but Castroneves was penalized one finishing position for passing Cristiano da Matta of Newman/Haas Racing during a full-course caution condition. Following a post-race review of videotape and Timing and Scoring documents by CART stewards, it was determined that da Matta and Castroneves would switch finishing positions, with da Matta being awarded third place. This decision moved Helio back to 123 points in the championship race and left Michael in sole possession of third place with 125. Kenny Brack continues to lead the championship with 147 points and Gil DeFerran is in second with 141 points.

Team Motorola general manager Kim Green has been pleased with the team's consistent performance throughout the season. "Our goal this season has been to make as few mistakes as possible and be consistent," said Green. "We try to go out each weekend and give Michael the best car possible and do the best job possible on our strategy and hope that the results reflect those efforts. I think over the course of the season those efforts are paying dividends and now we need to maintain those efforts through the end of the season."

Andretti and Team Motorola will begin practice on Friday, October 5, 2001 at 9:30 a.m. with qualifying scheduled for Saturday, October 6 at 1:30 p.m. The race will be held on Sunday, October 7 at 1:00 p.m. CST and be shown live on ESPN at 2:00 p.m. ET.