INDYCAR: Mid-Ohio notes

• tomh@motorsport.com (Tom Haapanen)
• MNI - Motorsport News International
• Mon Aug 12 23:05:29 EDT 1996

> From IndyCar media relations


Miller 200 Notebook

Jan Magnussen and Max Papis made their PPG Indy Car World Series career
debuts Sunday in the Miller 200 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

Magnussen, driving for the injured Paul Tracy in this event only,
started 18th and finished 14th in the Marlboro Penske Mercedes for
Penske Racing. Magnussen, despite a late-race incident with rookie Mark
Blundell (VISA/PacWest Reynard Ford), was able to complete his first
IndyCar start and finished two laps off the lead pace.

"My first IndyCar race was okay; it was a lot like my first Formula
One race [1995, Aida, Japan] except for the yellows, of course," said
Magnussen, a 23-year-old Dane. "Before the first pit stop, there was a
big push in the Marlboro car, but we were able to correct it by adding
some front wing. On Lap 64, I was going into the hairpin and the No.
21 car [Blundell] went inside and hit my right front, which put me off
course. It was strange to get stuck in the gravel and be able to get
out and continue the race. All in all, I learned a lot this weekend and
really enjoyed myself."

Papis, who replaced the late Jeff Krosnoff for Arciero-Wells Racing,
was not as fortunate as Magnussen in his debut. Papis retired after
completing 40 of the 83 laps due to engine problems with the MCI Reynard
Toyota. He started 19th and finished 24th.

"We had several problems today with the car, but that is part of
developing a new engine," said Papis, a 26-year-old Italian. "This is
what we have to expect. It has been a fun weekend, though. This is a
very competitive series, and I feel like I am in a good place. We'll be
back next weekend."

Magnussen will drive the final three event s of the PPG Indy Car World
Series season for Hogan Penske Racing as the replacement for the injured
Emerson Fittipaldi. Tracy, out with a chip fracture of a cervical
vertebra, will be evaluated on a weekly basis. Papis will drive in two
of the final three events for Arciero-Wells. He will miss the Molson
Indy Vancouver on Sept. 1 due to a conflict with his IMSA schedule.

* THE "I's" HAVE IT AGAIN

Unless one's surname ends in an "i," it may be time for drivers to
consider a name change if they want a real opportunity to win the Miller
200. Rookie Alex Zanardi (Target Reynard Honda) became the ninth driver
in the event's 15-year history with a surname ending in the vowel to win
the Miller 200. The others were Teo Fabi (1983, '89), Mario Andretti
('84), Emerson Fittipaldi ('88, '92-93) and Michael Andretti ('90-91).

* CHAMPIONSHIP UPDATES

The United States, paced by Jimmy Vasser's runnerup finish, extended
its lead over Brazil to 226-182 in the Nation's Cup. Canada is third
with 98, but Italy, thanks to Zanardi, is closing with 86. ... Honda's
fifth consecutive victory allowed it to further pad its advantage over
Ford, 225-180, in the Manufacturer's Championship. Honda needs 15
points to clinch the title as early as next week at the Texaco/Havoline
200. Mercedes-Benz is challenging Ford for second with 170 points.
... Zanardi helped Reynard extend its lead in the Constructor's
Championship. Reynard now leads Lola, 226-206. Penske is third with 121.
... Zanardi gained a maximum 22 points to break a tie with Greg Moore
(Player's/Indeck Reynard Mercedes) for the Rookie of the Year points
lead. Zanardi leads, 94-76. Blundell is third with 40.

* ODDS AND ENDS

The victory was the fifth in a row for Honda engines, matching the
longest streak in the PPG Indy Car World Series since Chevrolet in 1992.
... Zanardi's victory for Target/Chip Ganassi Racing snapped a four-year
Miller 200 victory streak by Penske Racing. This race also marked only
the second time in the last 10 seasons that a Penske entry has not
visited the podium. Al Unser Jr. (Marlboro Penske Mercedes) finished
13th and Magnussen 14th.