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1999 Post Season Thoughts

SEASON: The tragedies of the 1999 season will be at the forefront of most people's memories. However, let us not forget that this was also the closest points battle in major league racing history. Besides the final tie, there were three changes to the points leader in the last three races, twice in the last race itself. Then, there are the ten different winners throughout the year.

MOORE: Forget what may have been achieved. The fact is, Greg Moore had immense talent, won five CART races, a record setting Indy Lights driver, and a common man's hero. Most of all, he will be dearly missed.

RODRIGUEZ: We'll never know whether Gonzalo would have realized his dreams or not. But, we do know this -- Uruguay lost their greatest driver.

TRACKS: Let's not just look at Laguna Seca and Fontana. Let's look at all the tracks that CART races on with a new critical eye towards safety.

MONTOYA: Amidst all the criticism he received for nearly throwing the championship away, and some rightfully so, the fact is, there is something that cannot be forgotten -- Juan was a rookie. A rookie! A rookie who won seven races. A rookie who won on a street circuit, a short oval, and a road course. A rookie that had to fight for a championship on a superspeedway. A rookie who claimed seven poles. A rookie for crying out loud.

VASSER: Didn't know that Superman could be rendered invisible.

FRANCHITTI: This time the tie-breaker works. Dario would have been a perfectly valid champion, but with the tie, number of wins should be the deciding factor. And when you are outscored in that category, 7-3, you can't complain. Especially when you got Ashley Judd on your side.

TEAM GANASSI: Save the comments about Chip switching to Toyota for next season's pre-season thoughts. Right now, just marvel at the only team owner to win four consecutive titles.

TEAM GREEN: Sure it was a gallant decision to allow Paul Tracy to take the win at Houston. However, woe is Dario for those four lost points.

TRACY: No one else deserved this year's Most Improved Driver award more than Paul. The question is, how long will his new attitude last?

ANDRETTI: Driving a chassis that may not have been all that good after all, makes Mikey's season all that more impressive.

FITTIPALDI: It looks like Christian has finally shed that most overrated driver label. In fact, if it wasn't for the unfortunate injury that kept him out so long, he may have been a serious title contender.

MORENO: What more can be said that his nickname doesn't? Supersub.

GORDON: Say what you want about Robby, but don't ever say he's boring.

TEAM RAHAL: The most overrated team in CART today. In the last few years ever since Carl Hogan and Bobby Rahal went their separate ways, this team has won only two races. It wasn't Bobby. It wasn't Max. It was Bryan Herta. And who is the driver they get rid of?

PAPIS: Despite his team's best efforts, Mad Max shone well with a strong fifth place finish in the points.

PACWEST: Was 1997 a fluke?

LOLA: They're back.

SWIFT: They're gone.

TEAM PENSKE: How could anyone possibly have a more horrid season?

UNSER JR.: Only time will tell whether it was Little Al or the team. Or both.

S. HATTORI: By far the worse driver in CART history. Shiggy made Hiro, Vitolo, and Nearburg look like superstars. Well, maybe not Nearburg...

GOODYEAR: Color them yellow.

QUOTE OF THE SEASON: From a CART official after the Laguna Seca tragedy, "This is a violent sport. People keep forgetting about that."

Deep Throttle

Copyright © 1999 by Deep Throttle. All Rights Reserved.


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2007 Thoughts
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2006 Thoughts
Preseason Long Beach Houston Monterrey
Milwaukee Portland Cleveland Toronto
Edmonton San Jose Denver Montreal
Road America Surfer's Paradise Mexico City Postseason

2005 Thoughts
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2004 Thoughts
Preseason Long Beach Monterrey Milwaukee
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Las Vegas Surfer's Paradise Mexico City Postseason

2003 Thoughts
Preseason St. Petersburg Monterrey Long Beach
Brands Hatch Germany Milwaukee Laguna Seca
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Miami Mexico City Surfer's Paradise Postseason

2002 Thoughts
Preseason Monterrey Long Beach Japan
Milwaukee Laguna Seca Portland Chicago
Toronto Cleveland Vancouver Mid-Ohio
Road America Montreal Denver
England Miami Surfer's Paradise
Fontana Mexico City Postseason

2001 Thoughts
Preseason Mexico Long Beach Nazareth
Japan Milwaukee Detroit Portland
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Mid-Ohio Road America Vancouver German
England Houston Laguna Seca
Surfer's Paradise Fontana Postseason

2000 Thoughts
Preseason Miami Long Beach Brazil
Japan Nazareth Milwaukee Detroit
Portland Cleveland Toronto Michigan
Chicago Mid-Ohio Road America Vancouver
Laguna Seca Gateway USGP Houston
Surfer's Paradise Fontana Postseason

1999 Thoughts
Preseason Miami Japan Long Beach
Nazareth Brazil Gateway Milwaukee
Portland Cleveland Road America Toronto
U.S. 500 Detroit Mid-Ohio Chicago
Vancouver Laguna Seca Houston
Surfer's Paradise Fontana Postseason

1998 Thoughts
Preseason Miami Japan Long Beach
Nazareth Brazil Gateway Milwaukee
Detroit Portland Cleveland Toronto
U.S. 500 Mid-Ohio Road America Vancouver
Laguna Seca Houston Surfer's Paradise Fontana

1997 Thoughts
Miami Surfer's Paradise Long Beach Nazareth
Brazil Gateway Milwaukee Detroit
Portland Cleveland Toronto
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Vancouver Laguna Seca Fontana
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