RACE: Just when you thought you couldn't top last year. Whoo-eeeee!

TRACK: What in the bloody hell is wrong with the American racing fan?! 61 lead changes. 167 unofficial lead changes. Five car shoot-out over the final 10 laps. And they would rather see a NASCAR parade at Michigan? I just don't get it. And I don't get CART leaving here.

CARPENTIER: Yet another first time winner, and a nice way to celebrate a new contract. But Patrick, you really need to work on your victory donuts.

TAGLIANI: Yeah, it was a bit risky. And if it turned out bad, we'd be tearing Alex to shreds. But, he played the good teammate.

FRANCHITTI: Maybe Dario should volunteer to start at the back of the pack all the time.

JOURDAIN: Next time, put a little more paint on the nose of your car.

GIDLEY: Absolutely the strongest car out there. Memo had it dialed in. Other cars couldn't complete a drafting pass on him coming out of Turn 4.

MINASSIAN: Nicolas, who? Is he still in the States?

HERTA: Who says Bryan can't run the ovals?

DA MATTA: Where did Cristiano come from? He seemed to be invisible most of the race. Great work by his pit crew overcoming the lack of air jacks.

TRACY: Just the opposite for Paul, who's pit crew let him down when he had a car that could run with the leaders.

PAPIS: Whoops.

TEAM RAHAL: From a great payday to an expensive day ... In just a matter of seconds.

BRACK: Surprising he still has the points lead considering his luck lately.

FITTIPALDI: Pit much, Christian?

TAKAGI: Very impressive all weekend, but no surprise that his lack of Handford Device speedway racing caught up to him.

PENSKE: Virtual no-shows.

ANDRETTI: Another engine failure in a 500 mile race. What else is new?

GUGELMIN: Completely out of it all day.

STAT OF THE WEEKEND: Under one second. That is the margin between the top five finishers -- 0.516. Also, the total margin of victory for the past four years -- 0.574

HISTORICAL FACT OF THE WEEKEND: The fastest 500 mile race took place at Michigan when Al Unser, Jr. won with an average speed of 189.727 mph.

QUOTE OF THE WEEKEND: Max Papis on his planned qualifying strategy, "The guy who farts the biggest will be on pole. Tonight I plan to eat a big Mexican dinner!"

QUOTE OF THE WEEKEND RUNNERUP: Cristiano da Matta on his pit troubles, "Ultimately, compared to the others, the Quick Jack wasn't so quick."

SCHEDULE: Off to Chip's track. Wouldn't it be great if Memo gets his breakthrough victory there? Well, that's the way it would work in NASCAR.

Copyright © 2001 by Deep Throttle. All Rights Reserved.