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Deercross Indy Challenge - Deercross Track, Indianapolis, IN
September 20, 1997
Round 2 of 14
KAMIKAWA 'BACK HOME AGAIN' IN INDIANAPOLIS WITH DEERCROSS WIN
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (Sept. 22, 1997) - Ferrari driver Ev Kamikawa from Milwaukee, WI took the high road and
high line to capture the first-ever Deercross Indy Challenge here in Indianapolis, I N on Saturday at the
Deercross temporary road course. Kamikawa, who kept his cool both on and off the track, drove his Ferrari for
over a hundred laps in a heated battle with the Motorola car pilot Dan Margetta. In the end Kamikawa used the
high line of the race track and held off the noble challenge of Margetta, who came up just two laps short in
second place in the end.
"I have to thank God, my parents, and my new positive attitude," said Kamikawa of his fourth career win. He
also bested his heat race and captured a total of 22 points to put him into a tie for second place in the
championship points standings after two races.
Both Kamikawa and Margetta raced side by side throughout much of the night. Both the Ferrari team and the
Motorola teams executed clean pits stops when they had to and the race came down to the final minutes when
Margetta began to push a little too hard and lost ground in Senna Turn on several occasions in the final laps.
"I said I didn't drive 270 miles down here to Indy just to finish second, and I end up finishing second," Margetta
kidded after the race. "But we're real happy with the outcome. I love coming to Indy and I really liked this track
too. I wish we could race here more."
For the second race in a row Chad Sorce (Leinenkugel's IReynard/Ford) put his car on the podium in third place.
While Kamikawa and Margetta did fierce battle ahead of him, Sorce held on only several laps back until the mid-
race round of pit stops when he lost valuable time because he stalled his car. "That was all my fault," said Sorce,
"I just made a stupid mistake. I think we had a car that could have won the race."
Dave Austin, who collected his second pole position of the young season, slipped from his fast start to fourth
place, struggling on the difficult low line of the track due to handling woes. Austin (LC IIReynard Honda) remains
the PPPG Cup points leader however, with an eight point advantage over both Sorce and Kamikawa.
Tony Perkins was playing host for this race, a fact that had many an odds maker believing that this, his 44th
start, would be the win he has never accomplished. It was not meant to be, as Perkins could never move up from
his starting position of fifth.
One of the big stories of the night was a terrible crash during a heat race in which three-time champion Phil
Cianciola of ttle Penske team flipped his car over a wall. The Penske-Mercedes immediately caught fire and it
took course workers several minutes to get to Cianciola's aid. He was transported to Methodist Hospital where
he received treatment for severe burns to his right thigh. Cianciola was left with sixth place and a questionable
status for the next race on Oct. 2nd on the Mini Mile in West Allis.
The other Penske driver did not fare much better. John Baas crashed his #3 machine early in the second half of
his heat, marking the first time in the history of the PPPG that both Penske drivers crashed out of an event.
Rick Osterbrink (Shell/Reynard Mercedes) equaled his best career qualifying effort in third, but could not harness
the speed in the race, falling victim to a crash as well. He finished seventh.
Veteran Jim Kaehny did not make the historic trip to Indy, but did have representatives unveil his new Jelly Belly
Racing car. It was the first miss of a race for the New Berlin native since the PPPG was formed, breaking his
string of 51 PPPG starts since 1993.
The PPPG CART World Series travels to West Allis, W I next, for the Ford 500 on Oct. 2nd, the first race of the
season on an oval. The 'bullring' will be set up outside, in what is the only race of the season to be run in the
great outdoors under the lights. Defending race champion Sorce is expected to lead a full field of drivers back
into action as the teams enter the busiest month of the schedule, with three races slated for the month of October.
FAST FACTS FOR THE
DEERCROSS INDY CHALLENGE
o WHAT: The Deercross I ndy Challenge
o WHERE: Deercross Track, I ndianapolis, IN
o WHEN: Saturday, September 20th 3:00 p.m.
o DEFENDING CHAMPION: New Event
o DEFENDING POLESITTER: New Event
o TRACK LAYOUt: Temporary Road Course
o RACE LENGTH: 20 min. Final Four
o RACE RECORDS: Qualifying- New Event
Race- New Event
o RACE #: 2 of 14
o NEXT EVENT: The Ford 500 Thursday, Oct. 2nd
The Mini Milwaukee Mile West Allis, WI
o I NST ANT REPLAY
New Event. This race will feature several firsts, among them the longest road trip
ever undertaken by the PPPG CART World Series. PPPG Commissioner Phil
Cianciola likens the trek to the PPG's annual pilgrimage to Australia. The teams of
the PPPG will head into Indianapolis and the home of veteran Tony Perkins who is
hosting the event. Perkins, despite his location, competes in most of the races held in
the Milwaukee area during the season. This time, the tables are turned, as the other
drivers head into the land of the Indy 500 to compete.
Other items of interest from last year's race ...
New Event. But keep this in mind. Perkins has started in 43 PPPG races and has
never won in four full seasons. He designed the track and should have a home-track
advantage here. Drivers coming from the Milwaukee area will spend an entire day
doing race-related activities and H.O. testing at Deercross.
PPPG DEERCROSS INDY CHALLENGE HISTORY
Year Race Winner Pole Winner
New Event
Things to watch for this year ...
What effect will the road trip have on the drivers coming from Milwaukee? Will
Perkins be able to break his winless streak on his home course? Will anyone be
injured in the pre-race activities, which include go-karting at Stefan Johansson's
place?
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