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The Race |
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Click on the photo above to see the driver introductions close up.
13:47 Fujifilm Nexia A200
Grand Marshall for the race Bobby Rahal presents a check from the
Bobby Rahal Foundation for $17,000 to the United Cerebral Palsy
charity. Bobby also gets to say "Gentlemen, start your
engines!"
13:58 Fujifilm Nexia A200
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The field rounds turn four in perfect formation to take the green
flag for the start of the race. The first attempt was waved off with a
yellow flag as Helio was too far ahead of the other cars, but a lap
was still recorded.
14:09 Fujicolor Smart A200
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But on the next lap PJ Jones spins and we're back to yellow again.
CART safety workers get the car restarted and Jones rejoins the field.
14:10 Fujicolor Smart A200
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The yellow flag waves on lap 62 when CART workers spot debris on
the track with Andretti leading by 2.106 seconds over Franchitti,
Vasser, Montoya and Tracy. On lap 65 the lead cars pit, but Andretti
is impatient and tries to leave before his crew is ready...
14:39 Fujicolor Smart A200
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Vent man Ty Manseau is struck by the left rear wheel, which drives
over him including leave a streak of rubber across his new helmet. He
is later released from hospital with no serious injuries, but I bet
he's thankful for that helmet.
14:39 Fujicolor Smart A200
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Andretti lost a lap when he stalled during the incident and then
has to come back in to serve a stop-and-go penalty for the safety
violation.
"I've never hit anybody in the pits before. I feel
terrible," said Michael later.
14:47 Fujicolor Smart A200
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Robby Gordon retires on lap 83 with an electrical problem and smoke
coming out of the cockpit. "It happened all of a sudden,"
said Robby. "I was going into a turn and the car started smoking.
The throttle also was trying to stick."
14:52 Fujicolor Smart A200
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On lap 116 Montoya passes Tracy to pick up second place behind
Vasser.
15:04 Fujicolor Smart A200
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The yellow flag waves on lap 121 after Shigeaki Hattori makes
contact with the outside wall in turn four and slides to a stop at the
entrance of turn one. Shaky is uninjured in the incident but the car
sustains damage to the right front wheel and is retired from the race
due to contact.
15:08 Fujicolor Smart A200
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The leaders immediately pit and Montoya, at the front of the pits,
wins the race off pit road to assume the lead.
15:08 Fujicolor Smart A200
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Tony Kanaan's Drive-Thru Crew change the tires, fill the tank, and
give him a Big Mac, medium fries and a large Coke. Can they Supersize
that?
15:45 Fujicolor Smart A200
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Montoya plays it cautious with a splash-and-go on lap 209...
15:47 Fujicolor Smart A200
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...as does Gil de Ferran.
15:47 Fujicolor Smart A200
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But Moreno spins on lap 210 as de Ferran is exiting the pit,
bringing out the final yellow flag of the day.
15:48 Fujicolor Smart A200
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Mysteriously, Vasser pits under the yellow for his own
splash-and-go, handing the lead to Tracy. Ultimately Vasser finishes
fourth and Montoya tenth, but it turns out both had enough fuel to
finish the race.
15:49 Fujicolor Smart A200
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Dario also pits for a splash-and-go. Another costly mistake?
15:51 Fujicolor Smart H400 SS1/2000 CF8.0
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A jubilant Paul Tracy takes the checkered flag to take his first
win since St Louis in 1997. "When you win your skin tingles all
over," he said. "This is like rejuvenation." Greg Moore, second, comes over to congratulate
him.
15:58 Fujicolor Smart H400 SS1/2000 CF8.0
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On my flight home I was sat near Parker Johnstone, who commentates
for ABC/ESPN. He autographed my ticket and shared some interesting
theories on how Michael Andretti came to run over his crew member.
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