Papis Leaves, but It’s With the Wrong Kind of Bang

Max Papis made quite an impact at California Speedway on Sunday while making a bid to finish in the points.

Papis is leaving Arciero-Wells Racing for Team Rahal for the 1999 season. His last day on the job ended when he and his teammate next season, Bryan Herta (running 12th), collided 10 laps before the end of the Marlboro 500.

“I overtook Bryan on the outside and he didn’t see me,” Papis said. “He squeezed me into the wall and crashed my car into the wall.”

Papis, of Newport Beach, couldn’t believe the circumstances.

“Look at what my teammate did,” he joked with his crew afterward.

Herta finished 15th and Papis 16th.

“I think Max was on the outside of me and I didn’t even know he was there,” Herta said. “If that’s the case, then it was my fault.

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Orange’s Robby Gordon still doesn’t have a team for 1999, but he once again showed what he is capable of. Gordon started 22nd, moved up to ninth after only two laps and finished ninth overall.

Gordon did so despite being penalized for a pit stop before the pits were open, costing him four positions 40 laps from the end.

Gordon, running 12th, cut a tire on debris from Michael Andretti’s crash on Lap 211 and pitted immediately. When he rejoined the field, he was forced to the back, and dropped to 17th. Gordon ran as high as sixth.