TRACK: I'm certainly not one to like chicanes, but did you see that one shot about halfway through the race after a restart? It was a long shot looking at the stream of cars going through the multiple chicanes right at you. The imagery was more than that of a snake winding it's way though, with the cars hoping over the curbs, it gave a three dimensional look to it like a flat snake slithering through water. That shot had me mesmerized.

RACE: Danny Sullivan is right in that the Surfers race typically lulls you into a false sense of security before all hell breaks loose for an exciting finish. It happened again this year, except this time it caused a dud finish to an already dull race.

ZANARDI: Gonna miss those donuts.

TEAM GANASSI: I would love to see a pit stop competition between Alex Zanardi's crew and Jeff Gordon's crew. We would need a method to even out the differences in rules, but it would be fun to watch.

FITTIPALDI: A wonderful drive that exorcised any demons that may have remained in Australia.

FRANCHITTI: I've run out of kudos for Dario in the second half of the season.

TOYOTA: Another strong effort as Max Papis outqualified all but one Mercedes engined car. Of course, the real test will come on the superspeedway in the season finale.

LEHTO: A great finish that both he and the team so badly needed.

MOORE: Finally, some points. His first since his U.S. 500 victory.

VITOLO: So, who was the person who suddenly decided that there could only be 27 pit stalls when everyone knew that 28 cars have been entering CART races? Give that person a medal!

NEWMAN-HAAS: Just how many ridiculous mechanical problems do their cars have to suffer at the start of a race before a shakeup occurs?

ANDRETTI/TRACY: How do you call this one?! Was Andretti taking advantage of Paul's official status as CART whipping boy, figuring everyone would blame Paul if he pointed his finger at him? Or did Tracy indeed short brake/ block Michael after continuously blocking Andretti during qualifying? Either way, this wasn't the first time these two have gotten together, and it won't be the last.

SCHEDULE: California Speedway. Handford Device. Million dollar bonus to win. 'Nuf said.

Deep Throttle

Copyright © 1998 by Deep Throttle. All Rights Reserved.