Dvdb
04-19-04, 11:24 AM
LONG BEACH, Calif. -- The Newman half of Newman-Haas Racing doesn't intend to be a part of the team's return to the Indianapolis 500 next month.
Actor-racer Paul Newman has long been a vocal critic of Tony George and the Indy Racing League. His ire was raised again in January when George attempted to purchase the assets of a bankrupt CART so he could shut down the series.
Asked if he planned to join partner Carl Haas in bringing a team to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time since 1995, Newman offered a succinct reply: "I'm not gonna be there."
Jim McGee, who has spent the past several years as team manager at Patrick Racing, is heading up the Indy program for Newman-Haas, where he previously served as crew chief for Mario Andretti. McGee skipped Long Beach to continue preparations for the May 9 start of Indy practice.
A Newman-Haas spokesperson said the team is waiting until it has its car, sponsor and driver set before making an official announcement. Brazilian Bruno Junqueira, who won the 2002 Indy 500 pole for owner Chip Ganassi a year after finishing fifth in the race, is almost certain to be the driver.
http://www.indystar.com/articles/0/139449-1320-037.html]link
Actor-racer Paul Newman has long been a vocal critic of Tony George and the Indy Racing League. His ire was raised again in January when George attempted to purchase the assets of a bankrupt CART so he could shut down the series.
Asked if he planned to join partner Carl Haas in bringing a team to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time since 1995, Newman offered a succinct reply: "I'm not gonna be there."
Jim McGee, who has spent the past several years as team manager at Patrick Racing, is heading up the Indy program for Newman-Haas, where he previously served as crew chief for Mario Andretti. McGee skipped Long Beach to continue preparations for the May 9 start of Indy practice.
A Newman-Haas spokesperson said the team is waiting until it has its car, sponsor and driver set before making an official announcement. Brazilian Bruno Junqueira, who won the 2002 Indy 500 pole for owner Chip Ganassi a year after finishing fifth in the race, is almost certain to be the driver.
http://www.indystar.com/articles/0/139449-1320-037.html]link