TRACK: As F1 tracks go, this is certainly better than a lot of other tracks, the hokey turns 9-10 notwithstanding. It offers more passing spots than most F1 tracks, and nothing in the world matches the 28 seconds of flat out running.

RACE: A pretty exciting race especially the first 25 laps and the latter part with the stirring battle for third place. Plus, it was something else watching F1 cars scream down the front straightaway.

ACCESSIBILITY: Perhaps the most accessible track for the spectator on the Grand Prix circuit -- great viewing areas, up close to the action, ability to go anywhere you want before Sunday, and no Gestapo like security forces. The only complaint is the infield catch fences should be higher especially in the fast sections.

M. SCHUMACHER: Michael is a great talent, no question. However, it's this spin, along with all the other mistakes and cheap shots when under pressure, that makes one conclude that he doesn't match up to the like of a Lauda, Prost, or Senna.

FERRARI: Stock car fans are certainly devoted, but NASCAR can only dream of having something that comes close to the tifosi.

VILLENEUVE: Fantastic run in a familiar place.

HAKKINEN: Seemed to have acquired the Andretti Indy luck.

BUTTON: This guy really is good. Will be very interesting to see how he does at Benetton, away from the overbearing eyes of Williams. It will be even more interesting to see how Montoya does in his place.

ALESI: Drives his heart out; too bad he's stuck with a dog.

ARROWS: Strong showing while they lasted.

PROST: Surprised the engines lasted so long.

MINARDI: Someone tell me how in the world could Hakkinen not get by one of these slugs.

BAR: Two cars in the points. Glad to see all that money is being spent wisely...

RAHAL: I don't understand. Why does Jaguar want him? His team has been one of the most underachieving teams in CART ever since he took sole possession of it.

JAGUAR: Rahal has his work cut out for him.

MAZZACANE: This guy's top credentials are an Italian F2000 championship in 1994, which is nothing like the English and French series, and then after three years in F3000 managed to finish 19th in the 1998 point standings. I'm not kidding, 19th, with a best race finish of 6th in that year. Yet, Gaston is in F1. Will the F1 elitist please try to convince me that the best drivers in the world are in F1?

QUALIFYING: Sure seemed like there were more people for qualifying than there ever was for Pole Day for any IRL 500.

GEORGE: Tony could have been hailed as one of the greatest icons in racing history, but he never will be as long as he continues along the path of destroying American open wheel racing.

FISHER: For those who think running anything but the oval is sacrilegious, keep in mind that IMS creator Carl Fisher originally had designed not just an oval, but a road course as well. The complete project never got done. Until now.

FANS: There weren't just foreign and F1 fans there. There were plenty of sprint and stock car fans as well. And they seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves, despite being the same folks who cry about all the foreigners and high tech cars in CART. Well, you have to wonder how badly they would trip over their own tongues if asked how many Americans were in that F1 race they just witnessed. We won't even bother asking them what they thought of the cars.

FASCINATING STAT OF THE WEEKEND: Approximately 250,000 spectators, making this most likely the highest attended Grand Prix in modern day history.

QUOTE OF THE WEEKEND: To David Coulthard remarking about how the US fans greeted all the teams and drivers so warmly, "I suppose Minardi have never been so loved."

QUOTE OF THE WEEKEND RUNNERUP: To Jarno Trulli in the can you tell us what you really think category, explaining his coming together with Jenson Button, "He's running like an idiot."

SCHEDULE: Okay, back to CART.

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