Team Penske isn't around to go for a third straight CART FedEx Championship Series crown and the car count is down to 20, but the 2002 CART season looks to be as wide open as the turns at Cleveland.

No less than seven teams and 12 drivers have a legitimate shot at the title, which will be contested over the next nine months in 21 races over three continents.

Here's a forecast of the action:

Drivers to watch

	Andretti

Michael Andretti: CART's all-time winner will be 40 by the time this season is over and, while he's not the throttle psycho who dominated in the early '90s, he's still capable of getting to the front. A last hurrah?

Kenny Brack: Won the most races and poles last year, in addition to leading the most laps, yet wound up second in the point standings. Nobody drives his car, or team, any harder and this feisty Swede is in the prime of his career. He'll try and put Target/Ganassi Racing back in the throne room.

Cristiano da Matta: This little dynamo scored three wins in 2001 for Newman/Haas Racing and blew everybody away during last month's sneak preview practice at Laguna Seca. If the new Lola chassis is up to it on road courses, da Matta could easily be Da Man.

Tony Kanaan: True, he's only won once in three years and none during the past two for Morris Nunn Racing but he's always had the speed to contend - just not much in the way of good breaks. The Reynard/Honda combination has ruled the past six years. Why not seven?

Dario Franchitti: After losing '99 crown to Juan Montoya on a tie breaker, this talented Scotsman has struggled to regain that winning edge (only one victory in past two years) so he should be more motivated than ever to earn No. 1.

Scott Dixon: Rookie of the year in 2001, the soft-spoken New Zealander dazzled everyone with his poise and savvy in a champ car. He won't sneak up on anyone this season because it's obvious he belongs up front.

Sleepers

	Carpentier

Patrick Carpentier: Finally got his initial win last year after several near misses and this Canadian's confidence has finally caught up with his ability. If Ford can stay interested in its lame duck season, Carpentier can contend for the crown.

Oriol Servia: In two years, this aggressive Spaniard has shown much better than his results and now he's with a new team (PacWest) that can provide some depth and experience.

Bruno Junqueira: Had the unenviable job of taking Juan Montoya's place at Target/Ganassi in 2001 but came through with a win and a pole position as a rookie. If this Brazilian can learn consistency, he can give a few lessons.

On the hot seat

	Tagliani

Alex Tagliani: Tags had at least two wins taken away by mechanical gremlins in 2001 and is still searching for victory lane. Has more than enough speed, but does he have the race craft to succeed? Almost 30, this will be a pivotal season.

Christian Fittipaldi: With only two wins in seven years, the nephew of Emerson has not lived up to the family reputation. His inconsistency is puzzling and, at 32, he probably needs a solid season to stay in play.

Rising stars
Townsend Bell: One of only two rookies in 2002 and one of only three Americans in CART, this former Indy Lights champion has the moxie, speed and confidence to make some big strides in his first year with Patrick Racing.

Something to prove

	Fernandez

Adrian Fernandez: Lone owner/driver in CART suffered through a lot of teething problems in 2001 and hopes to regain his form of 2000.

Michel Jourdain: A six-year veteran who is still only 25 years old, Jourdain saved himself from the unemployment line by landing a big sponsor and taking it to Team Rahal. He's shown flashes of having what it takes but never anything approaching consistency. Maybe his first teammate (Vasser) can be the difference.

Paul Tracy: His undisputed talent (18 wins) has never sustained itself long enough to win a championship and, following a winless 2001, P.T. needs to bounce back strong.

Jimmy Vasser: The 1996 CART champion ran competitively all through 2001 but failed to find victory lane. Now with Team Rahal, the 36-year-old veteran must recapture his winning ways.