rpm.espn.com: Users: Be patient with Junqueira

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Thursday, January 24
Users: Be patient with Junqueira
ESPN.com

We asked our users if they thought Bruno Junqueira is ready to challenge for a top-10 overall finish. Here are some of the responses:

Bruno has the potential to become a great driver in the CART series, but he has to be careful not to slip into Christian Fittipaldi-like mental lapses too often. With Team Penske moving over to the IRL, and having a strong teammate in Kenny Brack, Junqueira has one heck of a season to look forward to. Hopefully he can capitalize on his opportunity.

Jerry Olcsvary
Princeton, N.J.

I agree with the assessment that Bruno needs more encouragement than criticism. I hope that he will come into the 2002 season more confident in his abilites. IF Bruno can get the support he deserves from Ganassi, he could do very well this season. He'll also have an experienced teammate he so desperately needed last season (in Kenny Brack). I'll be surprised if Bruno does not imrpove his performance on the track this year.

Martha Meacham
Cincinnati, Ohio

I think Chip Ganassi made the right decision in choosing Bruno over Memo Gidley, as I believe he has the greater overall potential. With Kenny Brack as his teammate, I think Bruno can win another race and finish top ten in points. He should also do well at Indy again.

Toby Hartman
Durham, England

Bruno better jump on the gas and stay off the walls. Ganassi should have hired Memo Gidley. Gidley led more laps than Bruno and didn't run in half the races. Bruno backed into his win at Elkhart after Christian Fittipaldi and Michael Andretti got together. Hopefully Bruno will reward Ganassi's faith but if I were Chip, I'd keep Memo's number handy.

Steve St. Clair
Erie, Pa.

Bruno will have a top 10. In fact, I'll go as far to say that Ganassi will have two top title contenders this year.

Aaron Rosser
Adairsville, Ga.

I don't think Chip gave Bruno the credit he deserved last year. He got a win last year and three top-5's. I know you can get a little spoiled with "rookies" like Alex Zanardi and Juan Montoya, but come on Chip, give the kid a break.

Chris Wilkins
Minneapolis

I don't think Junqueira showed much maturity last season and can't understand why Chip got rid of Memo Gidley.

John T Naylor
Long Beach, Calif.

If Bruno shows a little patience, he should be a contender for a top ten finish. Chip Ganassi needs to offer more support for his drivers than trying to offer one time deals to drivers like Tony Stewart, just to win one particular race. Bruno will be a championship contender in a few years if he is given the chance and the right equipment. Good luck Bruno!

G. Krause
Effort, Pa.

I think Bruno can challenge for a top-10 finish in 2002. He had a good 2001. He was overshadowed by the great season of fellow rookie Scott Dixon and the history of rookie drivers Alex Zanardi and Juan Montoya at Ganassi. But a win at Elkhart Lake and a top five at the Indy 500 definitely proved his potential for a driver who was new to the cars and all the tracks.

Matt Demey
Harrisburg, Pa.

Two words - Memo Gidley.

Mick Foley
Truth or Consequences, N.M.

Although showing glimpses of great speed at times, he couldn't seem to keep it together consistently. I think Memo Gidley is hungrier and would appreciate the seat more, thus performing better if given a full season. Bruno will not finish in the top-10 playing supporting cast for Brack. Memo on the other hand, would have paired up will with Brack and kept himself competitive without a doubt. At the beginning of the 2001 season, I was excited and intrigued by Junqueira, but it quickly turned into that "sinking feeling" in the pit of my stomach watching him bust up Ganassi's machines.

Chris Voyer
St. Louis

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	Driver Spotlight: Bruno Junqueira