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Sunday, August 26, 2001

Compiled by Chris Dolack

Chip Ganassi's rookie driver Bruno Junqueira won his first CART race last weekend. He answered questions during a conference call Tuesday:

Bruno Junqueira

Q: What was the other drivers' reaction to your first CART victory at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis., last weekend?

A: I felt very good because I just came here and I already have some friendship with some drivers. And they really help me, but some of my friends were happy that I won the race and that's really good. But the best thing is really winning the race. I think it's good to have a good relationship with the drivers. Some drivers have said in the past that they are not able to make friends. But I'm not here to make enemies. I want to have a good relationship with everybody, to have a little friendship with all the drivers.

Q: With Kenny Brack joining Ganassi's team next season, do you believe you have to fight with current teammate Memo Gidley for a job next year?

A: I don't know what's going to happen in the future. I'm trying to concentrate to do my racing, and I don't know what Chip is thinking about next year. That's hard to ask him, but I don't know anything. I don't know what is going to happen.

Q: Did you expect success to come easy in CART?

A: When I came here to America, I didn't know what to expect. But I think the first pass of the season, when you start to pass the other teams, and I showed that I had a lot of speed. I really thought that I could win a race early, especially in my third race. My first oval, I was right on the pole. I thought I could get better results, but for some reason the team just didn't go right. Things just didn't go the way that they planned, but I'm really pleased. I'm pleased to win my first one. Some drivers took years to win a race. I'm really happy to do it, and I hope I can do it, win more races.