Phoenix: Event preview

PHOENIX (April 8, 2002) -- The Rolex Sports Car Series will run its five classes of sports cars under the lights in the UnitedAuto 200 presented by azcentral.com at Phoenix International Raceway, April 20. The sunset start on Saturday at 7 p.m., will mark the first time the series has raced in the dark since it kicked off the season with at the Rolex 24 At Daytona in February.

Rand to Debut Second Car in Phoenix
Rand Racing, which currently leads the SportsRacing Prototype II standings with its #8 entry, will debut its #7 Nissan-powered Lola in SRPII at the UnitedAuto 200. Team owner Bill Rand, of Houston, will co-drive the #7 Lola with Nicolas Jonsson, of Aliso Viejo, Calif., and Scotsman Marino Franchitti, younger brother of CART racer Dario Franchitti. Rand's #8 Nissan Lola has dominated the SRPII class this season, with driver Terry Borcheller leading the point standings.

Dyson to Return to Riley & Scott
After running a Judd-engined Crawford in California and Miami, defending champion Dyson Racing Team will return to its Ford-powered Riley & Scott for the UnitedAuto 200. Dyson Racing and Crawford Race Cars contested the #16 entry as part of a cooperative effort at the last two events. Dyson Racing reports its was pleased with the Crawford's performance and fans should not be surprised to see the #16 Crawford carrying the Thetford/Norcold livery at future events this season.

Phoenix's Rice to Drive for Miracle
Phoenix's Buddy Rice will co-drive the #6 Miracle Motorsports Ford-powered Riley & Scott on his home track in the UnitedAuto 200. Rice drove with team owner John Macaluso earlier this season at the Nextel 250, where the pair ran in the top three until falling victim to engine trouble. Rice won the 2000 Toyota Atlantic championship with five wins, 10 podiums and two poles.

Snappy Premiere at UnitedAuto 200
Team Snappy Racing's #13 Camaro will make its Rolex Sports Car Series premiere at the UnitedAuto 200. Guy Dreier, of Indian Wells, Calif., will pilot the Camaro that will race in the American GT class against entries from Corvette, Mustang and Oldsmobile.

The racing action at Phoenix International Raceway will get underway on Thursday, April 18 with Rolex Sports Car Series and Grand-Am Cup Street Stock Series practice sessions. UnitedAuto 200 qualifying will be held on Friday afternoon, followed by Grand-Am Cup's UnitedAuto 200 Touring 250 at 6 p.m. Grand-Am Cup's UnitedAuto Sport 250 will run on Saturday at 3 p.m., followed by the 7 p.m. start of the UnitedAuto 200 presented by azcentral.com.

Tickets are available online at www.phoenixinternationalraceway.com or by calling 602-252-2227. Additional information about the Rolex Sports Car Series and the UnitedAuto 200 can be found online at www.grand-am.com.

-grand am-