Da Matta Is Closing In on PPI’s First Win

With four top-five finishes in his last six races, Cristiano da Matta is one of the hottest drivers in the CART Championship Series.

And he may be getting hotter.

After scoring his first podium finish by taking third place two weeks ago in Cleveland, he was the fastest driver during open oval testing last week in Chicago. And if things go his way Sunday in Toronto, he will become the series’ ninth winner in 10 events.

“Every race car driver thinks he’s the best,” said da Matta, the lead driver for PPI Motorsports of Rancho Santa Margarita. “As a race car driver, I think I’m the best. I’m going through a very good moment and my confidence is very high right now.

“I don’t have a crystal ball, I hate to do predictions. One of my targets is to win before the end of the season. . . . That’s what I’ve been dreaming about my whole career.”

It would be a bittersweet victory, for sure, if the first win for da Matta and team owner Cal Wells came in Toronto. It was there that PPI driver Jeff Krosnoff was killed during a racing accident in 1996.

Da Matta’s emergence has given PPI some serious momentum. He and rookie teammate Oriol Servia have combined for five top-five finishes in the last six races, and for 51 points this season on road circuits. Team Penske drivers Gil de Ferran and Helio Castroneves, with 76 combined points, are the only tandem to outscore the PPI drivers on road/street courses. Eight of the final 11 races are on road or street circuits.

“Both are performing extremely well,” Wells said. “I’ve got a very good feeling about where we’re heading. . . . I’m pretty encouraged about the opportunities in the second half of the season.”

Da Matta, who is under contract with Wells through 2002, has made huge gains in the series standings. Through nine of 20 races, he is tied for ninth place, and his 49 points are 17 more than he scored all last season.

ATLANTIC SERIES

The Toyota Atlantic Series continues this weekend in Toronto. Wells’ drivers, Daniel Weldon and Andrew Bordin, are second and third in the series standings after finishing sixth and 10th in Cleveland. Pole-sitter Alex Gurney of Newport Beach finished 18th in Cleveland after mechanical trouble, and Rocky Moran of Coto de Caza finished fourth in the race. Moran is sixth in the standings, and Gurney 11th.

INDY RACING LEAGUE

Stephan Gregoire will try to bring Dick Simon Racing its first Northern Lights Series victory Saturday night in Atlanta. Simon, owner of the Dana Point team, is hoping for a little luck. When the leader pitted last year, Gregoire was moving into the lead when the caution flag went out; as Gregoire slowed, he was hit from behind and knocked out of the race. San Juan Capistrano driver Jeff Ward could also use a little luck--he was the one whose crash brought out the initial yellow.

“Last year, there were three or four races we could have won, and this year it’s been about three,” said Simon, who will announce a three-year sponsorship deal tonight with Santa Ana-based Mexmil.

NHRA

Cory McClenathan’s first victory of the season came at an opportune time. McClenathan, of Anaheim, on Sunday won the second Winston Showdown in Bristol, Tenn., a handicap event that pits Top Fuel drivers against Funny Car drivers. It’s also the circuit’s biggest payday, $200,000.

McClenathan defeated Funny Car low qualifier Ron Capps in the final round, 4.85 seconds to 5.16. Among those McClenathan defeated was defending champion John Force of Yorba Linda. The dragsters had a 13-9 advantage over the Funny Cars.

SPEEDWAY

Gary Hicks of Quail Valley made his return to Orange County Speedway last weekend after missing five events because of a broken collarbone. Hicks was in second place in the series at the time, but currently is 18th after failing to transfer into the semifinals. Hicks, this year’s Spring Classic winner, has 95 points but will probably need to crack the top 10 to get a berth in the season-ending U.S. Nationals. Eddie Castro is currently 10th, with 161 points.

* The 29th Fair Derby takes place Saturday night. There’s also action tonight, with the Big Air Freestyle Motorcycle Jumpers, exhibition speedway, sidecars and midgets. On Sunday, the racing will be confined to vintage motorcycles. Racing begins each day at 8 p.m., and it’s free with fair admission.

*

If you have an item or idea for the motor racing report, you can fax us at (714)966-5663 or e-mail us at martin.henderson@latimes.com

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ON TRACKA

Orange County Speedway

Through July 9

Speedway motorcycles

1. Charlie Venegas, San Bernardino: 363

2. Brad Oxley, San Juan Capistrano: 265

3. Dukie Ermolenko, Cypress: 228

4. Shawn McConnell, Brea: 226

5. Bobby Schwartz, Costa Mesa: 225

6. Randy DiFrancesco, Bakersfield: 218

7. Andy Northrup, Alta Loma: 198

8. Chris Manchester, Upland: 182

9. Jim Estes, Winnetka: 165

10. Eddie Castro, Ojai: 161

Schedule

Tonight--Friday sidecar, quad, midget championship, extreme jumping; Saturday--Fair Derby (speedway); Sunday--Youth Motorized Olympics (Jr. speedway series), Vintage Dirt Track races.

Aug. 5--Demolition Derby (speedway, sidecars); 12--Kids Night (speedway, sidecars, peewee 50s, Jr. speedway); 19--Harley-Davidson Night (speedway, sidecars, Harley races and show); 26--Dan Nay Night (championship speedway, peewee 50s, Jr. speedway).

Sept. 9--Freestyle Motorcycle Jumping (speedway); 16--Skirt Night (speedway, sidecars, peewee 50s, Jr. speedway); 23--North vs. South (speedway, sidecars), 30--Sidecar State Championship (speedway, sidecars).

Oct. 7--Farewell (speedway, sidecars); 14--Coors Light U.S. National Championship (speedway).

Irwindale Speedway

Through July 9

Super Late Model

1. Greg Voigt, Goleta: 472

2. Ben Walker, North Hills: 438

3. David Brandon, Palmdale: 380

4. Tim Woods, Chino: 364

6. Tommy Fry, Simi Valley: 352

5. A.J. DiMarzo, Saugus: 322

8. Shawn Brink, Lancaster: 304

7. Dan Holtz, Bakersfield: 284

9. Brian Kelley, Arleta: 272

9. Rod Johnson, Saugus: 264

Late Model

1. James Weston, Goleta: 480

2. Todd Burns, Riverside: 420

3. Tony Green, Oak Hills : 416

4. David Hessing, Canyon Country: 406

5. Deryk Ward, Palm Springs: 388

6. Steve Nickolai, Simi Valley: 386

7. Guy Goldstein, Cathedral City: 382

8. Richard Hooper, Palmdale: 362

9. Nick Conti, Palm Desert: 258

10. Dan DiGiammarino, Highland: 232

Grand American

1. Rip Michels, Mission Hills: 334

2. Dean Kuhn, Oceanside: 318

3. John Watkinson, Canyon Country: 258

4. Robert Rice, Hawthorne: 244

5. Henry Ford Jr., Alta Loma: 240

6. Jimmy White, Covina: 28

7. David Andrews, Frazier Park: 218

8. Tom Topping, Los Angeles: 216

9. Steve Luecht, Chula Vista: 210

10. Travis Thirkettle, Newhall: 186

Super Stock

1. Jeff Green, Long Beach: 432

2. T.K. Karvasek, North Hills: 406

3. Mike Price, San Pedro: 334

4. Yagel Berkovitz, Burbank: 332

5. Tom Siebuhr, Canyon Country: 318

6. Kevin Wood, Saugus: 304

7. Greg Benner, Whittier: 294

8. Don Rogers, Simi Valley: 272

9. Dean Cato, Fullerton: 264

10. Steve Gilmore, Granada Hills: 238

Mini Stocks

1. Bob Reed, Riverside: 200

2. Terry Limberopoulos, Bellflower: 184

3. Lee Ladd, Thousand Oaks: 172

4. Rod Bornhop, Orange: 166

5. Gil Gillis, Simi Valley: 150

6. Randy Colling, Santa Ana: 140

7. Greg Tucker, Ojai: 104

8. Danny Rowe, Lake Elizabeth: 100

9. Pat Ackley, Huntington Beach: 94

10. Guy Tripp, Saugus: 92

Schedule

Saturday--NASCAR Super Late Models, Grand American Modifieds, Spec Trucks, T.Q. Midgets, MSRA Pro 4 Modifieds; 15--NASCAR Late Models Twin 40s, Super Stocks, Mini Stocks, Legends Cars, Mini Stock cars, Figure 8s; 22--NASCAR Super Late Models, Grand American Modifieds, Speed Trucks, MSRA Pro 4 Modifieds; 29--NASCAR Home Depot Southwest Series, Late Models, Super Stocks.

Aug. 5--NASCAR Super Late Models Twin 50s, Grand American Modifieds, American Race Trucks, Mini Stocks; 12--NASCAR Late Models, Super Stocks, Mini Stocks, Spec Trucks, Legends Cars, Figure 8s; 19--NASCAR Home Depot Winston West 250, Late Models; 26--NASCAR Super Late Models, Super Stocks, Grand American Modifieds, T.Q. Midgets, American Race Trucks.

Sept. 2--NASCAR Super Late Models Twin 50s, Super Stocks, Speed Trucks, Mini Stocks; 9--NASCAR Super Late Models, Late Models, Grand American Modifieds, Legends Cars; 16--NASCAR Late Models, Super Stocks, MSRA Pro 4 Modifieds, Mini Stock cars, Figure 8s, American Race Trucks; 23--USAC Midgets, Sprint Cars, CAM 360, T.Q. Midgets; 30--NASCAR Super Late Models 100, Grand American Modifieds, Mini Stocks, Legends Cars.

Oct. 7--NASCAR Southwest Series, Super Stocks, Legends Cars; 14--USAC SILVER CROWN CARS, Sprint Cars, Grand American Modifieds; 21--NASCAR Late Models 75, ARCA Trucks, Super Stocks 50, T.Q. Midgets, Mini Stocks 25, Supermodified; 28--NASCAR Super Late Models 100, USF3 VW FORMULA 3, Speed Trucks, Legends Cars.

Nov. 3--American Race Truck practice, qualifying; 4--American Race Trucks National Finals, Speed Trucks, MSRA Pro 4 Modifieds, Mini Stock cars, Legends Cars; 11--NASCAR Home Depot Winston West 300 season finale, Spec Trucks 100; 18--Speed Trucks 100, MSRA Pro 4 Modifieds, T.Q. Midgets, Legends Cars; 23--60th Annual Home Depot Turkey Night Grand Prix for USAC Midgets, and T.Q. Midgets.

Perris Auto Speedway

Through July 9

SCRA Sprint Cars

1. Richard Griffin, Silver City, N.M.: 1222

2. Rip Williams, Yorba Linda: 1044

3. Jeremy Sherman, Phoenix: 933

4. Ricky Gaunt, Torrance: 910

5. Cory Kruseman, Ventura: 886

6. Tony Jones, Corona: 868

7. Mike English, Norwalk: 828

8. Steve Ostling, Corona: 805

9. Mike Kirby, Lomita: 776

10. John Scott, Hesperia: 720

PASSCAR Street Stocks

1. Luke Dodd, Riverside: 241

2. Henry Wesolowski Sr., Temecula: 201

3. Ron Warkington, Riverside: 188

4. Tim Shadduck, Hemet: 182

5. Rick Arringdale, Victorville: 158

6. Rusty Stewart, Lakewood: 156

7. Ron Sanders, Wildomar: 145

8. Ken Searcy, Nuevo: 144

8. Eddie Lagor, Nuevo: 144

10. Jeff Dunham, Murrieta: 133

Champ Trucks

1. Todd Cunningham, Corona: 284

2. Dino Napier, Corona: 281

2. David Schuyler, Lompoc: 281

4. Jack Dodd, Riverside: 261

5. James Gonzalez, Canyon Lake: 241

6. Cap Pidgeon, Signal Hill: 233

6. Gary Cecil, Corona: 233

8. Art Peterson, Cathedral City: 213

9. David Jackson, Victorville: 202

10. Mark Anderson, Sky Valley: 200

Schedule

Saturday--SCRA Sprints, Trucks; 22--USAC Midgets, TQ Sprints; 29--Stocks, Late Models, Cruisers.

Aug. 5--SCRA Sprints; 12--Stocks, Bandit Sprints; 19--SCRA Sprints; 26--Trains, TBA.

Sept. 2--Stocks, Trucks, Cruisers; 9--SCRA Sprints; 16--Stocks, Trucks, Dwarfs; 23--SCRA Sprints; 30--SCRA Sprints, Lightning Sprints.

Oct. 7--Stocks, Lightning Sprints; 14--Stocks (Fair); 27--SCRA Sprints, USAC Midgets; 28--SCRA Sprints, USAC Midgets.

Nov. 4--Triple Crown Championship, Stocks, Trucks, Lightning Sprints; 10--Oval Nationals, SCRA Sprints; 11--Oval Nationals, SCRA Sprints; 18--SCRA Kindoll Classic, Sprints, 50 laps.