Chat Transcript
CBS SportsLine.com
May 2, 2001

Zanardi is only the third back-to-back CART Champion ('97 and '98). (Allsport)

CART driver Alex Zanardi chatted about the postponement of the Texas 600.

Numerous drivers reported dizziness and disorientation after practice rounds at the high-banked Texas Motor Speedway. Medical officials found G-forces were almost twice as high as normal. The race was called off with no date for a makeup scheduled.

Zanardi, was one of the drivers waiting to start the race, returns to the FedEX Championship series for the first time since 1998 racing season. The Italian racer has reunited with owner Morris Nunn, who helped engineered his 1997 and 1998 championships and was a part of his 1996 Rookie of the Year effort.

Zanardi is CART's all-time leader in podium finishes in a season (15 in 1998), he has the all-time best winning percentage (15 wins in 51 starts) and has the single season scoring record of 285 points (1998). He is only the third back-to-back CART Champion ('97 and '98).

Alex Zanardi: Hello to everyone! Don't be shy. I will answer your questions, guys! (And yes, this is really Alex!)

Question: CART President Joe Heitzler said that the track conditions changed "considerably" on the weekend. How could it change so much as to suddenly become dangerous? And what changed?

Alex Zanardi: Certainly there were more cars around to punch a greater hole in the air. With the banking being so high, even with the turbulence these cars would generate, no one would have problems keeping their right foot on the floor. So we would have easily passed the 240mph mark. This is not a situation where you lose grip and go slower. The grip was coming from the banking. It may not make a lot of sense right away but it is indeed right what Joe Heitzler said.

Question: Did you experience the dizziness and disorientation some of the drivers talked about at Texas?

Alex Zanardi: Yes. On Friday I did 30 laps and I really had to spend time to collect my thoughts before I could get out of the car. I felt dizzy.

Question: Is the postponement of the race this past weekend an indication that we've really reached the speed limit? The weakest link appears to be the human driver...

Alex Zanardi: It is not a speed limit. It is a force limit. The force is a result between the combination of many factors. In the case of the Texas Motor Speedway, the vertical force we were building was related to the banking of the circuit and the speed of the car. If you go slower, you obviously would not build such a great force. But there are some great roller coasters where you build great force. Basically what we were going through last weekend was like going through a roller coaster at twice the speed they go and for 2 hours and 45 minutes. It is difficult to explain in a few words, but that is more or less my explanation.

Question: Do you think the cancellation of the race at TMS will cause problems with the fans in Texas?

Alex Zanardi: It may. As an outside observer I respect CART's decision. They knew the consequences that could come and the criticism they could receive. But the took the position with the best interest of the drivers safety and for all of us. Not the best business decision. They could have said lets go out there and try to be safe and go home after. They made a tough decision but I think it was the right thing to do.

Question: Do you think it's about time to get this mess between CART and the IRL worked out?

Alex Zanardi: This is not my department! My opinion is that it is a shame that some mess is being created. I think it should have never happened. I wasn't even there when it did happen!

Question: How do you feel about the HANS device?

Alex Zanardi: It adds safety. I hope I am not going to test how much safety it adds, myself! That means I don't want to crash! I don't see any down point. I wore it in Mexico and Long Beach and did not have any comfort problems as other drivers say they do. I hope I finish the year without having to test the efficiency of it.

Question: How did you get into racing?

Alex Zanardi: When I was turning 14 years old my father offered me either a gokart or a motorcycle. I went with the go-kart and the rest is, as they say, history.

Question: What made you decide to step away after the 98 season?

Alex Zanardi: After the main course, you take dessert! We only have one life and I wanted to experience something different in the time frame I had. I thought I wanted to do that. I decided to come back because after I had that experience I wanted to do what I thought I enjoyed the most.

Question: Is it better, worse or about what you expected since your return?

Alex Zanardi: Certainly I did not expect everything to be so hard. But quite frankly I knew it would be difficult because last year I did nothing but change diapers for my son! It will take some time for me to click in again.

Question: Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

Alex Zanardi: That would be my father. I think he always tried to be supportive but critical as well. I remember winning races but still receiving criticism from my father because I did something wrong in the race that could have cost me the result.

Question: Is Long Beach your favorite race?

Alex Zanardi: One of my favorites. But my you always think the favorite is based on what it will bring to you.

Question: Alex what is the relationship between you and Chip Ganassi now?

Alex Zanardi: We are good friends still. We call each other every once in a while. I can't wait to be in the position to tease him a little bit!

Question: Are there other tracks where this same situation may occur?

Alex Zanardi: Not in our calendar right now. I am aware of many others that would potentially not suit our cars or they wouldn't suit the circuit. But no, not in our calendar right now.

Question: What is your favorite CART track?

Alex Zanardi: Technically speaking? Cleveland. Talking about whatever goes on around the weekend? I think Long Beach and Surfers Paradise are fun places to be.

Question: Do you feel you were slighted in your Formula one stint?

Alex Zanardi: I think there was responsibility on my side and the team side. I don't think we tried to help each other enough and the marriage did not work out.

Question: How is the Honda engine working for you?

Alex Zanardi: In my career, whenever I drove a car with Honda power, the motor was the smallest of the problems! Most likely the bigger of my strengths too.

Question: What do you think of the movie Driven, good,bad,ugly?

Alex Zanardi: I have not seen it yet. I am going later tonight!

Question: What's the deal with the pineapple on the back of your helmet?

Alex Zanardi: Morris Nunn, my engineer at Ganassi, nicknamed me Pineapple. I drew one on the top of the helmet for fun with the mechanics. We went on and won that race, my first ever win in cart. Since then I kept it as my lucky charm.

Question: If you were the commissioner of racing for a day, what changes would you make?

Alex Zanardi: I would build ovals like Rio used to be. Make the car heavier. and softer tires!

Alex Zanardi: I hope for all my fans that I will be in the position to do some doughnuts soon! And for ones who don't like me, I hope I can disappoint you soon! For everyone, a big thank you for supporting us all. I hope you will enjoy our racing. Goodnight.