Budweiser/G.I. Joe's 200 -- Notebook Highlights

BUDWEISER/G.I. JOE'S 200, PRESENTED BY TEXACO/HAVOLINE, NOTEBOOK

Jimmy Vasser and Michael Andretti, who entered as the first- and
third-ranked drivers in the PPG Cup points race, respectively, had
their problems in Sunday's Budweiser/G.I. Joe's 200, presented by
Texaco/Havoline, at the Portland International Raceway.

Vasser (Target Reynard Honda), who started third, was running second
early in the race, but he spun out in Turn 8 on Lap 36 and fell back
in the field. He was 17th with 23 laps remaining and then charged to a
13th-place finish, one slot out of the points positions. Vasser's point
lead shrunk from 23 points to 11, 98-87, over Al Unser Jr. (Marlboro
Penske Mercedes) after Sunday's race.

"Tough day. I guess I should have been more careful," Vasser said. "The
rain started up in Turn 3 and just worked its way down the race track.
When I spun, I was just going into the chicane [Turn 8], rolling off the
throttle and it swapped ends on me. Other than that, the only problem I
had was in the last corner. The car was loose coming off there all day
long."

Andretti's woes started immediately as he incurred an ignition problem
with the Kmart/Texaco/Havoline Lola Ford on the opening lap. He went
down a lap and dropped to last in the 28-car field, but rallied to
finish 11th and gain two PPG Cup points with his showing. Andretti
remained third in the points with 73.

"I think we could have won or at least been right up there if we didn't
have the trouble at the start. There was something loose in the back
end, electrical I think. I lost almost two laps," said Andretti, who was
seeking his third consecutive victory. "I got a couple of points, but
I'm disappointed because we had a competitive car. I guess we are still
in third place and Jimmy Vasser didn't get any points, so. …"

* SAY IT'S SO, JOE

Target/Chip Ganassi Racing may want to attend to making reservations for
future NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana at the remaining PPG
Indy Car World Series events. Montana, a team partner, has a perfect
1996 completion percentage as Target/Chip Ganassi Racing has managed to
win all three times he has attended a race. Montana witnessed Vasser win
at Miami and The Inaugural U.S. 500 and then watched rookie Alex Zanardi
(Target Reynard Honda) win on Sunday.

* GOOD RIDDANCE

Bobby Rahal (Miller Reynard Mercedes) ended a decade-long streak in
which he had struggled in the even years and flourished in the odd at
Portland International Raceway. Rahal entered Sunday's race having never
finished among the top 10 at PIR during an even year, but turned in a
sixth-place finish after starting 18th. "We made a good charge in the
rain, just like '93 [when he came from 12th to fourth]," Rahal said. "We
stayed out on slicks instead of changing to rain tires. And we were as
quick as anyone in the wet. The Goodyear tires were great in the damp."

* CHAMPIONSHIP RUN

Zanardi's victory moved Italy from sixth to fourth in the Nation's Cup
with 34 points. The United States continues to lead with 168 points.
Brazil is second with 130 and Canada third with 68. ... Zanardi (Target
Reynard Honda) also helped Honda regain the lead in the Manufacturer's
Cup. Honda, which lost the lead for the first time this season when
Ford moved a point ahead after Detroit, took a five-point advantage
over Ford, 145-140. Mercedes-Benz is third with 114. With the triumph,
Reynard pushed its lead over Lola from two points to eight,
152-144. Penske is third at 87. ... Zanardi cut the lead of Greg Moore
(Player's/Indeck Reynard Mercedes) in the Rookie of the Year race to
seven points, 46-39. Eddie Lawson (Delco Electronics Lola Mercedes) is
third with 26.