17.JUN.01
Detroit
Grand Prix Race Notes
DETROIT (June
17, 2001) -- The FedEx Championship Series continued today in round
seven of 21 events at the Belle Isle temporary track located near
downtown Detroit. Arciero-Blair Racing driver Max Wilson finished
23rd in the Tenneco Automotive Grand Prix of Detroit.
Wilson,
driving the Ford-powered number 25 WinnerB2B Lola, started 21st for
the race that covered 168.912 miles. The Detroit street course has
14 turns and is 2.346-miles long. This is the first year of
Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) competition for the 28-year
old Brazilian.
On a restart
on lap seven of 72 laps, while running in 18th place Wilson brushed
the wall with the rear of the car. He radioed the crew and continued
on racing, running as high as 13th. He made a regularly scheduled
pit stop on lap 31. The Arciero-Blair Team quickly got Wilson back
out; on lap 36 the bent rear suspension broke. Wilson safely pulled
over and retired from the race.
"On the
restart in Turn Two, the tires were a bit cold," said Wilson.
"I b rushed the wall with the rear tires on the exit. From that
point on the suspension was bent. I tried to gain some positions on
the restart and I hit the wall. There’s a crown in the pavement
and that unsettled the car. It was an unlucky mistake."
This is one of
six straight races for the Arciero-Blair Racing team. Next the FedEx
Championship Series travels to the Northwest for Round Eight, the
Freightliner/G.I. Joe's 200 Presented by Texaco, June 22-24 at
Portland (Ore.) International Raceway. The race will air live on the
ESPN Television Network, 4:00 p.m. EDT Live. Check local listings.
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