rpm.espn.com: Drivers to Watch

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Wednesday, April 25
Drivers to Watch
ESPN.com news services

Check out a short list of drivers to keep an eye on this weekend at Texas.

Michael Andretti
After a positive start for Team Motorola in Mexico, where he finished fourth, Andretti finished dead last on the streets of Long Beach California on April 8 due to a mechanical problem after three laps; has 15 wins on oval tracks, his last in 2000 at Motegi, Japan; sixth in the series standings with 12 points.

Helio Castroneves
Charged from the pole and led all 82 laps at Long Beach, California for his fourth career CART win; the opening race in Mexico, he finished eighth; comes to Texas with a lot of momentum along with Penske Racing teammate Gil de Ferran (1-3 finish in Long Beach); one of three Brazilians to occupy podium positions in the standings (third with 27 points -- De Ferran is second with 30).

Gil de Ferran
The 2000 CART champion is one of three Brazilians to start the year in commanding fashion; finished second and third in the first two races; finished on the podium in seven of his last 11 races dating to last year; second in standings, seven points behind countryman Cristiano da Matta (37-30); began CART career as driver for Jim Hall of Texas; drove for Hall Racing in 1995 (Rookie year) and 1996.

Dario Franchitti
Improved a ninth-place result in Mexico to a sixth finish at Long Beach on April 8; keeping pace with KOOL Green teammate Paul Tracy; tested at the Texas Motor Speedway, giving him a possible edge on other drivers.

Tony Kanaan
Starts in his 58th career CART race and 19th for Mo Nunn Racing; one victory recorded in the 1999 U.S. 500 at the oval track of Michigan; has three podium finishes and seven top-fives.

Cristiano da Matta
A near perfect first two races for the Newman/Haas driver; winner in Mexico and second at Long Beach kept atop of the standings with 37 points; also qualified well for both events (2nd and 4th, respectively).

Paul Tracy
Looks to continue the good runs on the first oval track event of the season at the inaugural Firehawk 600 at Texas Motor Speedway; third in Mexico and fourth at Long Beach; 26 points accumulated puts him fourth in the table, 11 behind leader Cristiano da Matta; Team KOOL Green has been quite successful in the state of Texas with wins in Houston; Tracy led teammate Dario Franchitti to a 1-2 finish at the venue in 1999 (Franchitti won in 1998).

Jimmy Vasser
Joining Patrick Racing appears to be paying off, at least after the first two races; scored a sixth-place finish in his debut at Monterrey, Mexico and was a spot better earlier in April on the streets of Long Beach; stands fifth with 18 points.

Alex Zanardi
After a two-year hiatus in Formula One, his return has been less than successful in the season's first two races, both without completing the race (24th, 26th); this will be his 54th CART start -- 15 wins, 28 podium finishes, 34 top-fives and two championships in that span; two wins have been on ovals at Michigan in 1997 and Gateway 1998.

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