rpm.espn.com: Drivers to Watch

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Wednesday, August 15
Drivers to Watch
ESPN.com news services

Check out a short list of drivers to keep an eye on this weekend at Elkhart Lake, Wis.

Michael Andretti
Third straight DNF dropped him to fifth in the standings with 73 points; mechanical problem on lap 5 made him the first victim in the Miller Lite 200; prior to that, won in Toronto on July 15 for his 41st career victory, most among active drivers; is one of three drivers to have won this race three times -- father Mario and Emerson Fittipaldi are the others; last win was in 1996, while in 1999 he was second to Christian Fittipaldi, the nephew of Emerson; was one of 15 dropouts last year, in his case a mechanical problem.

Kenny Brack
Once again got tangled with Team Rahal partner Max Papis on lap 31 at Mid-Ohio, as they did two races earlier in Michigan; that essentially took both out of contention, although Brack managed to continue and finish 20th; remained atop the CART standings with 104 points, just one ahead of Helio Castroneves; has been in first place since first victory of the year and career at the Firehawk 500 in Japan; scored points in eight races this year, while not finishing three; as a rookie last year, finished a strong third here.

Patrick Carpentier
Started and finished third at the Miller Lite 200 for his third consecutive podium finish of the year; won the Harrah's 500 at Michigan Speedway last month for his first career CART triumph; other points finishes were fifth in Portland and eighth at the Grand Prix of Detroit; eighth in the standings with 65 points -- 29 on road courses and 36 on ovals.

Helio Castroneves
Successfully defended his Miller Lite 200 title Sunday at Mid-Ohio after starting outside of Penske teammate Gil de Ferran on the front row; it was his third CART win of 2001 in addition to the Indianapolis 500, an IRL race; all six of his career victories have come on road or street courses, with his only oval win at this year's Indy 500; one point behind series leader Kenny Brack (104-103); completed last year's Motorola 220, finishing ninth.

Scott Dixon
The 20-year-old rookie from New Zealand won first career CART race at Nazareth earlier this year; 2000 Indy Lights champion is having a good campaign with seven other points finishes; was 12th in Sunday's Miller Lite 200, fourth in Chicago, 10th in Michigan, fifth in Toronto, seventh at Portland, third at Milwaukee and ninth in Japan; stands seventh in the championship with 69 points and is the Rookie of the Year leader.

Gil de Ferran
Just like in 2000 at Mid-Ohio, he started from the pole, but after leading the first 28 laps he ended up second behind Penske teammate Helio Castroneves; it was his second consecutive podium finish and fourth of the year; he also finished second in the IRL-sanctioned Indianapolis 500; moved from fifth to third in the standings with 89 points, 15 behind leader Kenny Brack; was first to retire in last year's race due to mechanical failure on lap 1.

Dario Franchitti
Has been fluctuating between second, third and fourth in the standings the past five races; seems to come short of making a decisive move to challenge the top; currently fourth with 81 points; victory in Cleveland last month ended a two-year winless streak; also had finishes of second at the Grand Prix of Detroit and in the Harrah's 500 at Michigan Speedway; won at Elkhart Lake in 1998; was 12th last year as a mechanical problem on lap 43 took him out.

Cristiano da Matta
Was points leader after the season's first three races but has dropped to sixth with 70 points since; started year with win in Mexico and second at GP of Long Beach; also earned points in six other races, including at Mid-Ohio with a 10th; one of the most improved drivers over the past two years; the 1998 Indy Lights champion.

Roberto Moreno
Brazilian veteran has finished in the points in six of the last seven races; best was a second in the Portland 200 after taking third a race earlier in Detroit; total of 52 points places him 12th in the standings; all but five of the points were earned on road courses; finished fourth at Road America last year.

Paul Tracy
Last year he managed to steer clear of trouble en route to victory in a race where only 10 of 25 drivers were running at the finish; also a winner at Road America in 1993 and started from pole between 1992-94; has scored points in the last four races but is only ninth in the championship standings with 65 points; best results this year are a pair of thirds and also two fourth-place finishes, including last Sunday's Miller Lite 200 at Mid-Ohio.

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