rpm.espn.com: Bruno Junqueira

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Thursday, January 24

Bruno Junqueira
By Robin Miller
ESPN.com

Team: Target/Chip Ganassi Racing
Nationality: Brazilian

Bruno Junqueira
Junqueira

STATS

Year
Rank
Wins
Top 5
Top 10
Poles
Best finish

2001 16 1 3 7 1 1st, Elkhart Lake

Career 1 3 7 1 1st, Elkhart Lake

2001 recap
The good: Considering he'd never seen the tracks or driven on an oval, the 25-year-old rookie from Brazil did a very commendable job -- winning one race, one pole, qualifying on the front row on two other occasions and being much racier than his final points position would indicate. Also finished fifth in Indy 500 debut.

Season highlight: Started 10th at Elkhart Lake and patiently worked his way to third before dodging an altercation between Michael Andretti and Christian Fittipaldi to take a lead he never relinquished.

The bad: Crashed out of five races, including opening laps at Japan and England.

Season lowlight: Slammed into the back of Fittipaldi's car coming into the pits at Cleveland.

Key stat: Adapted quickly to tricky short ovals (winning pole at Nazareth, Pa., and finishing fourth at Milwaukee).

2002 outlook
What needs to be done: Former test driver for Frank Williams' Formula One team is no Juan Montoya, but he is a good little racer who needs more support from owner Chip Ganassi instead of constant criticism.

Prediction: If Junqueira improves his race craft and concentration, could easily finish in top 10.

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