2001 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach

February 2025 Motor race held in Long Beach, California USA Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Long Beach Street Circuit IndyCar.svg Map of Long Beach Street Circuit April 8 2001 CART Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach 2 21 Long Beach Street CircuitLong Beach, California, United States Temporary street circuit 1.968 3.167 82 161.376 259.694 Hélio Castroneves Team Penske 1:08.556 BRA Hélio Castroneves Team Penske 1:08.992 71 BRA Hélio Castroneves Team Penske BRA Cristiano da Matta Newman-Haas Racing BRA Gil de Ferran Team Penske BRA 2000 2002 2001 Firestone Firehawk 600 2001 Tecate/Telmex Grand Prix of Monterrey The 2001 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach was a Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) open-wheel race held on April 8, 2001 on a temporary street circuit in Long Beach, California before 90,000 spectators. It was the second round of the 2001 CART FedEx Championship Series and the 27th annual running of the event (18th under CART's sanctioning). The 82-lap race was won by Team Penske driver Hélio Castroneves. Cristiano da Matta of Newman/Haas Racing finished second and Castroneves' teammate Gil de Ferran came in third. Castroneves won the pole position after posting the quickest lap in qualifying. He was trailed by second-place qualifier Kenny Bräck in the opening laps, though Bräck was forced to retire on the 32nd lap after stalling his engine during a pit stop. Da Matta then became Castroneves' biggest threat for the win and repeatedly tried to overtake him, to no avail. Castroneves led all 82 laps and earned his fourth CART victory. As a result of the race, Castroneves improved from eighth to third in the Drivers' Championship, while podium finishers da Matta and de Ferran remained first and second, respectively. Meanwhile, Lola and Reynard were tied for the Constructors' Championship lead and Honda eked ahead of Toyota in the Manufacturers' Championship by one point. Background 2001 CART FedEx Championship Series#Drivers and constructors left|thumb|The Streets of Long Beach (pictured in 2009), where the race was held. The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach was the second of 21 scheduled open-wheel races for the 2001 CART FedEx Championship Series, the 27th annual edition of the event dating back to 1975, and the 18th edition under CART's sanctioning.April 3, 2001 FedEx Championship Series Opens Domestic Portion of 2001 Schedule with Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=217 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030121165758/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=217 January 21, 2003 November 16, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams It was held on April 8, 2001, in Long Beach, California, United States, at a temporary eleven-turn 1.968 mi km on street circuit, with a scheduled race distance of 82 laps and 161.376 mi km out.CHAMPCAR/CART: Long Beach fast facts https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-long-beach-fast-facts/1870667/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251116160337/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-long-beach-fast-facts/1870667/ November 16, 2025 November 16, 2025 Motorsport.com Heading into the race, Cristiano da Matta led the Drivers' Championship with 21 points, five ahead of Gil de Ferran in second and seven more than third-placed Paul Tracy. Michael Andretti, with 12 points, and Kenny Bräck, with 11 points, took the fourth and fifth positions, respectively.2001 TECATE/TELMEX GRAND PRIX OF MONTERREY https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/2001_Tecate_Telmex_Grand_Prix_of_Monterrey/R live https://web.archive.org/web/20250805010759/https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/2001_Tecate_Telmex_Grand_Prix_of_Monterrey/R August 5, 2025 November 16, 2025 Racing-Reference.info NASCAR Digital Media In the Constructors' Championship, Lola held the lead with 22 points as Reynard stood second on 16. With 21 points, Toyota led the Manufacturers' Championship by five points over Honda in second, ten over Ford-Cosworth in third, and 21 over Phoenix in fourth.2001 Standings after Tecate Telmex Monterrey Grand Prix Presented by Herdez http://www.cart.com/Standings.asp?EventID=1 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020224082009/http://www.cart.com/Standings.asp?EventID=1 February 24, 2002 November 16, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Da Matta—the winner of the preceding Grand Prix of Monterrey—revealed that his team would be utilizing a different racing setup for the weekend due to the track's bumpy surface and hoped to earn his second consecutive win.April 5, 2001 Newman/Haas Racing Seeks Third Straight CART Win http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=235 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20021114114026/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=235 November 14, 2002 November 16, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Andretti believed that maintaining fuel mileage and grip on the rear tires was very important in succeeding in Long Beach and aimed to finish within the top-five to gain more points.April 3, 2001 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach "Quoteboard" http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=218 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030121170241/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=218 January 21, 2003 November 16, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Alex Zanardi, who won at Long Beach in 1997 and 1998, was excited to return to the track and was confident that he could finish well, even if he is grouped with the slower competitors in qualifying.April 3, 2001 Mo Nunn Racing - Pre-Race Notes/Quotes http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=221 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20021114120414/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=221 November 14, 2002 November 16, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Bräck predicted that most drivers would overtake each other at the front stretch and praised the track's setting, although he felt that the configuration of the track was "not spectacular."CHAMPCAR/CART: Team Rahal track talk Long Beach https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-team-rahal-track-talk-long-beach/1871175/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251116211802/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-team-rahal-track-talk-long-beach/1871175/ November 16, 2025 November 16, 2025 Motorsport.com Practice Three practice sessions preceded the race on Sunday, two on Friday and one on Saturday. The first session lasted 120 minutes, the second 105 minutes, and the third 75 minutes. Temperatures on Friday were initially cool, but increased as the day progressed.Shaw Jeremy April 6, 2001 Jeremy Shaw's Long Beach Friday Notebook http://speedvision.com/pub/articles/racing/03CART/010406d.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020203194030/http://speedvision.com/pub/articles/racing/03CART/010406d.html February 3, 2002 November 16, 2025 SpeedVision The first practice session on Friday morning was delayed by 28 minutes after a vendor truck knocked over a fire extinguisher, resulting in a broken water main at the fourth corner.April 6, 2001 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach - Friday Morning Press Notes http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=247 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030110135221/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=247 January 10, 2003 November 16, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Alex Tagliani led the session with a time of 1 minute and 9.147 seconds, beating Tony Kanaan, Patrick Carpentier, Dario Franchitti, and Bryan Herta.2001 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach - Practice 1 Results http://www.cart.com/Results/SessionResults.asp?ID=2 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030702000248/http://www.cart.com/Results/SessionResults.asp?ID=2 July 2, 2003 November 16, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Several competitors drove off-course and the session was briefly halted to retrieve the cars of Hélio Castroneves, Oriol Servià, and Luiz Garcia Jr., all of whom stalled at separate parts of the track. Kanaan's time of 1 minute and 7.759 seconds in the second practice session was the fastest overall lap of Friday's two sessions;April 6, 2001 'Hollywood' Start for Kanaan, Firestone http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=264 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030123185413/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=264 January 23, 2003 November 16, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Servià was second and ahead of Tracy in third, Castroneves in fourth, and Carpentier in fifth.CHAMPCAR/CART: Long Beach Practice 2 Results https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-long-beach-practice-2-results/1871483/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251116225406/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-long-beach-practice-2-results/1871483/ November 16, 2025 November 16, 2025 Motorsport.com During the session, da Matta and Adrián Fernández slid into the turn-nine tire barriers, while Bruno Junqueira crashed into the tire barrier at the eighth corner. None of the drivers suffered serious damage.April 6, 2001 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach - Friday Afternoon Press Notes http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=254 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030123190149/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=254 January 23, 2003 November 17, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Sporadic rain showers dampened the circuit on Saturday morning, resulting in numerous spins throughout the third practice session involving Jimmy Vasser, de Ferran, Fernández, Herta, Shinji Nakano, and Max Papis.April 7, 2001 Toyota Grand Prix Of Long Beach - Saturday Morning Press Notes http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=274 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030110135111/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=274 January 10, 2003 November 17, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Bräck lapped fastest in the session with a time of 1 minute and 20.941 seconds, with Carpentier, Junqueira, Papis, and Christian Fittipaldi rounding out the top-five.April 7, 2001 Brack Leads Final Practice Prior To Qualifying In Long Beach http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=269 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030110134202/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=269 January 10, 2003 November 17, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Qualifying During the 75-minute qualifying session on Saturday afternoon, the drivers were split into two groups which were each allowed 30 minutes on the circuit, with a 15-minute interval in between the groups.CHAMPCAR/CART: 2001 weekend race schedule announced https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-2001-weekend-race-schedule-announced/1836915/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251106021711/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-2001-weekend-race-schedule-announced/1836915/ November 6, 2025 November 17, 2025 Motorsport.com Ahead of qualifying, the rainfall subsided and the support series completed their practice sessions, which helped to add grip to the track surface.April 7, 2001 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach - Saturday Afternoon Press Notes http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=294 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030110140226/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=294 January 10, 2003 November 17, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Rain showers returned towards the end of the first group's session and CART mandated every car in the second group to use rain tires, but most switched back to slick tires once the rain receded again.April 7, 2001 Firestone Shows Stuff In Wet, Dry http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=289 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030123190326/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=289 January 23, 2003 November 17, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Castroneves earned his fifth career pole position with a time of 1 minute and 8.556 seconds on his final timed lap of the session, besting second-place driver Bräck by 0.541 seconds.Oreovicz John April 7, 2001 Castroneves’ Timing Wins Long Beach Pole http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=280 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030123190223/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=280 January 23, 2003 November 17, 2025 Championship Auto Racing TeamsApril 7, 2001 2001 Toyota Long Beach Grand Prix Qualifying Results http://www.cart.com:80/Results/SessionResults.asp?ID=5 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030504132807/http://www.cart.com/Results/SessionResults.asp?ID=5 May 4, 2003 May 31, 2017 Championship Auto Racing Teams Kanaan qualified third, da Matta fourth, and de Ferran fifth.Shaw Jeremy April 7, 2001 Castroneves Takes Long Beach Pole http://www.speedvision.com/pub/articles/racing/03CART/010407c.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20011124141933/http://www.speedvision.com/pub/articles/racing/03CART/010407c.html November 24, 2001 November 17, 2025 SpeedVision Franchitti applied too much force to his brakes during his last timed lap and took sixth.April 7, 2001 Franchitti 6th, Tracy 12th For Long Beach Race http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=291 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030123190822/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=291 January 23, 2003 November 17, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Michel Jourdain Jr. was the quickest driver of the first group and held the pole position until the final three minutes of qualifying, after which he was knocked to the seventh position in what was still the best qualifying effort of his career.April 7, 2001 Herdez Bettenhausen Qualifying Report http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=297 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030123185901/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=297 January 23, 2003 November 17, 2025 Championship Auto Racing TeamsPhillips David April 7, 2001 David Phillips’ Saturday Long Beach Notebook http://www.speedvision.com/pub/articles/racing/03CART/010407d.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20010905171259/http://www.speedvision.com/pub/articles/racing/03CART/010407d.html September 5, 2001 November 17, 2025 SpeedVision Vasser, in eighth, was forced to resort to a backup car due to his incident in the practice session earlier that day.April 7, 2001 Patrick Drivers Ready For Long Beach Run http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=292 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030123185204/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=292 January 23, 2003 November 17, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Andretti, Fittipaldi, Tagliani, and Tracy occupied the ninth through twelfth positions. Papis experienced oversteer throughout the session and was left 13th,April 7, 2001 Brack On Front Row At Long Beach http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=301 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20021225174546/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=301 December 25, 2002 November 17, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams ahead of the highest-qualifying rookie driver Nicolas Minassian in 14th, Herta in 15th, Tora Takagi in 16th, Carpentier in 17th, Scott Dixon in 18th, Maurício Gugelmin in 19th, and Zanardi in 20th. Max Wilson slammed into a wall at the exit of the eighth turn, leaving him in 21st. Roberto Moreno started 22nd, his worst qualifying result at Long Beach, due to persistent gearbox issues, while Nakano took 23rd. Servià's promising lap times in qualifying were hampered by a broken ignition coil, leaving him to start a disappointing 24th. The constant red flags issued during qualifying prevented Michael Krumm and Dale Coyne Racing teammate Garcia Jr. from starting higher than 25th and 27th, respectively.April 7, 2001 Coyne Racing-Team PRG Notes & Quotes http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=285 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20021114115950/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=285 November 14, 2002 November 17, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams The pair of drivers were separated by Fernández, who started from the 26th position after spinning at the eleventh turn. Junqueira crashed on his first timed lap and rainfall returned by the time his team had prepared a backup car. His quickest time was over 31 seconds slower than Castroneves', which left him to start 28th. Qualifying classification Pos Position No. Car Number Driver Team Time Speed Speed in MPH Grid Final starting grid position1 3BRA Hélio CastronevesTeam Penske1:08.556103.343 12 8SWE Kenny BräckTeam Rahal1:09.097102.534 23 55BRA Tony Kanaan Mo Nunn Racing1:09.223102.347 34 6BRA Cristiano da MattaNewman/Haas Racing1:09.312102.216 45 1BRA Gil de FerranTeam Penske1:09.344102.169 56 27SCO Dario FranchittiTeam Green1:09.366102.136 67 16MEX Michel Jourdain Jr.Bettenhausen Racing1:09.589101.809 78 40USA Jimmy VasserPatrick Racing1:09.807101.491 89 39USA Michael AndrettiTeam Motorola1:09.853101.424 910 11BRA Christian FittipaldiNewman/Haas Racing1:09.999101.213 1011 33CAN Alex TaglianiForsythe Racing1:10.013101.193 1112 26CAN Paul TracyTeam Green1:10.073101.106 1213 7ITA 1946 Max PapisTeam Rahal1:10.093101.077 1314 12FRA Nicolas MinassianChip Ganassi Racing1:10.099101.068 1415 77USA Bryan HertaForsythe Racing1:10.146101.001 1516 5JAP Toranosuke TakagiWalker Racing1:10.202100.920 1617 32CAN Patrick CarpentierForsythe Racing1:10.272100.820 1718 18NZL Scott DixonPacWest Racing1:10.303100.775 1819 17BRA Maurício GugelminPacWest Racing1:10.670100.252 1920 66ITA 1946 Alex ZanardiMo Nunn Racing1:10.675100.245 2021 25BRA Max WilsonArciero Brooke Racing1:10.683100.233 2122 20BRA Roberto MorenoPatrick Racing1:10.769100.112 2223 52JAP Shinji NakanoFernández Racing1:11.87198.577 2324 22ESP Oriol ServiàSigma Autosport1:11.91998.511 2425 19GER Michael KrummDale Coyne Racing1:11.97498.436 2526 51MEX Adrian FernándezFernández Racing1:12.40397.852 2627 21BRA Luiz Garcia Jr.Dale Coyne Racing1:16.48392.632 2728 4BRA Bruno JunqueiraChip Ganassi Racing1:39.91670.908 28 Sources:CHAMPCAR/CART: Long Beach qualifying, starting line up https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-long-beach-qualifying-starting-line-up/1871731/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251117220132/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-long-beach-qualifying-starting-line-up/1871731/ November 17, 2025 November 17, 2025 Motorsport.com Warm-up On Sunday, most of the drivers took to the track at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Standard Time (UTC−08:00) for a thirty-minute warmup session under cold yet sunny conditions. The lone exception was Kanaan, whose team repaired an oil leak in his car.April 8, 2001 Perfect Castroneves tames the streets https://www.autosport.com/general/news/perfect-castroneves-tames-the-streets-5008554/5008554/ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20251117224002/https://www.autosport.com/general/news/perfect-castroneves-tames-the-streets-5008554/5008554/ November 17, 2025 November 18, 2025 Autosport The session featured three stoppages, the first two for Minassian and Garcia Jr. stalling their cars and the third for Fernández crashing into the inside wall at the tenth turn and subsequently damaging his front wing and right-front tire.April 8, 2001 Toyota Grand Prix Of Long Beach - Sunday Morning Press Notes http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=300 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030110134824/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=300 January 10, 2003 November 17, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Fittipaldi lapped the quickest time of the session at 1 minute and 9.993 seconds, almost two tenths of a second faster than pole sitter Castroneves; Bräck was third, Carpentier fourth, and Nakano fifth.April 8, 2001 Fittipaldi Leads Morning Warmup http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=299 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030123190401/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=299 January 23, 2003 November 17, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Race The constant precipitation on Saturday had cleared up in time for the race as air temperatures rose to 65 F C on and a brisk wind gusted over the circuit at 20 mph km/h on.April 8, 2001 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach - Sunday Afternoon Press Notes http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=307 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030110140121/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=307 January 10, 2003 November 17, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams An estimated 90,000 people attended the event.April 8, 2001 Castroneves overpowers da Matta, wins grand prix https://books.google.com/books?id=hroeAAAAIBAJ&lpg=PA233&dq=helio%20castroneves%20long%20beach&pg=PA233#v=onepage&q=helio%20castroneves%20long%20beach&f=false live November 17, 2025 Herald-Journal 233 During the pace laps, the rear of Vasser's car began trailing smoke, though it quickly dissipated, as Castroneves' fuel gauge had failed.Oreovicz John April 8, 2001 Castroneves Captures Toyota Grand Prix http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=308 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030123185839/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=308 January 23, 2003 November 17, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams The race began at 1:12 p.m. and Castroneves quickly pulled ahead of Bräck in the first turn to maintain his pole position advantage. One of Tagliani's tires was punctured after Tracy struck the rear of his car, forcing him to make a pit stop and lose a lap to the leaders.April 8, 2001 Rough Day At Long Beach For Team Player's http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=314 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030123190823/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=314 January 23, 2003 November 17, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Andretti's car suddenly experienced a terminal engine issue on lap 3 and he resultantly became the first retiree of the race.Mauk Eric April 9, 2001 Post-Race Spin From Long Beach http://www.speedvision.com/pub/articles/racing/03CART/010409a.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20011124144756/http://www.speedvision.com/pub/articles/racing/03CART/010409a.html November 24, 2001 November 17, 2025 SpeedVision Castroneves held a 1.1-second lead over Bräck before the first full-course caution flag was issued on the tenth lap when Garcia Jr. slid into the tire barriers in turn eight and sustained moderate damage to the nose of his car.Shaw Jeremy April 8, 2001 Castroneves Wins From Long Beach Pole http://www.speedvision.com/pub/articles/racing/03CART/010408a.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20011124142802/http://www.speedvision.com/pub/articles/racing/03CART/010408a.html November 24, 2001 November 17, 2025 SpeedVision Long Beach, California left|thumb|267x267px|Hélio Castroneves (pictured in 2018) led every lap from the pole position and won the race, his fourth win in CART. The top-13 drivers chose not to make a pit stop and Castroneves led the field on the restart at lap 13. De Ferran overtook Kanaan for the fourth position three laps later. As Bräck defended the second position from Fittipaldi, Wilson had troubles with his gearbox that caused him to spin into the turn-nine tire barriers on the 19th lap. Although Wilson's rear wing fell off of his car, the green flag remained as he restarted his car and drove to pit road.April 8, 2001 Wilson Finishes 21st at Long Beach http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=315 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030110135816/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=315 January 10, 2003 November 17, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Zanardi's suspension and cooling system were damaged after Junqueira hit the back end of his car and he retired on lap 28,April 8, 2001 Alex Zanardi Long Beach Notes & Quotes http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=313 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030123185942/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=313 January 23, 2003 November 17, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams while Fittipaldi experienced mechanical issues of his own—falling from 12th to 16th six laps earlier—and pitted that same lap to change his steering wheel in hopes that it would alleviate his issues.April 8, 2001 Newman/Haas Racing Long Beach Report http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=321 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030123184809/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=321 January 23, 2003 November 17, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams On lap 30, Takagi was spun from behind by Gugelmin at the ninth turn, necessitating the second caution flag. The top 11 drivers made pit stops under the caution period. Bräck was relegated to the rear of the field after his engine stalled during his pit stop. Castroneves sustained his lead with a quick pit stop and he led the field back up to speed on the lap-32 restart, followed by da Matta and Vasser, while Bräck was knocked out of the race with mechanical troubles. Fittipaldi was handed a drive-through penalty two laps later for exceeding the 50 mph km/h on speed limit during the caution. By the 45th lap, Castroneves only garnered a 0.5-second lead over da Matta, while Takagi spun in the first turn and quickly drove away. Four laps later, Tracy moved into sixth place by out-braking his Team Green teammate Franchitti as they entered turn one. Jourdain Jr. made a pit stop from the ninth position to refuel his car on lap 50, but he was issued a drive-through penalty for exiting pit road 1 mph km/h on faster than the speed limit.April 8, 2001 Herdez Bettenhausen Long Beach Report http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=306 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030123190853/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=306 January 23, 2003 November 18, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams On the 55th lap, Carpentier hit the back of Papis' car, destroying Papis' rear wing and momentarily launching Carpentier into the air in turn five. This incident, along with Dixon concurrently spinning into the tire barriers in turn nine, prompted the third caution. All of the leaders made their final stops for fuel during the caution period. As the drivers were preparing for an upcoming restart, Gugelmin was punted from behind by Moreno at turn six on lap 60, lengthening the caution period.April 8, 2001 PacWest Racing Group Notes & Quotes http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=318 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20021114115455/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=318 November 14, 2002 November 18, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams The race resumed on lap 63, with Castroneves leading ahead of da Matta and de Ferran. Tracy quickly overtook Vasser for the fourth position in the first corner. Over the next twelve laps, da Matta made several attempts to pass Castroneves and remained within half a second of him, but Castroneves continued defending the first position. On the 75th lap, Takagi spun into the tire barriers in turn one, necessitating the fourth caution of the race.April 8, 2001 Walker Racing Report http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=325 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030123190222/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=325 January 23, 2003 November 18, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams None of the leaders made stops and the green flag was issued again on lap 78. Castroneves maintained the lead for the final four laps to earn his fourth career win in CART and first of the season. It also marked Team Penske's first win at Long Beach since 1995.April 8, 2001 CART: Castroneves Takes Grand Prix Of Long Beach https://www.autoweek.com/news/a2118706/cart-castroneves-takes-grand-prix-long-beach-0/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20221202121241/https://www.autoweek.com/news/a2118706/cart-castroneves-takes-grand-prix-long-beach-0/ December 2, 2022 November 18, 2025 Autoweek Da Matta finished 0.534 seconds behind Castroneves in second; de Ferran took third, Tracy fourth, and Vasser fifth. The remaining points-scoring positions were rounded out by Franchitti, Kanaan, Minassian, Junqueira, Herta, Moreno, and Nakano, while Jourdain Jr., Servià, Krumm, Fernández, Papis, Tagliani, and Dixon were the final classified finishers.April 9, 2001 2001 Toyota Long Beach Grand Prix Results http://www.cart.com:80/Results/SessionResults.asp?ID=7 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030110140522/http://www.cart.com/Results/SessionResults.asp?ID=7 January 10, 2003 May 31, 2017 Championship Auto Racing Teams There were four cautions and no lead changes during the course of the race, meaning that Castroneves had led all 82 laps.2001 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/2001_Toyota_Grand_Prix_of_Long_Beach/R live https://web.archive.org/web/20230609000928/https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/2001_Toyota_Grand_Prix_of_Long_Beach/R/ June 9, 2023 November 18, 2025 Racing-Reference.info Post-race The top-three drivers appeared on the podium to collect their trophies, with Castroneves earning $100,000 for the win. During a post-race press conference, a jubilant Castroneves thanked his team for providing quick pit stops, saying: "What a fantastic day for everyone at Marlboro Team Penske. The guys on the Team did a terrific job in the pits keeping me out front all day. My second pit stop was especially important because they got me out in front of (Cristiano) da Matta where we were able to stay until the end."April 8, 2001 Marlboro Team Penske Quotes & Notes http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=316 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030123185703/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=316 January 23, 2003 November 18, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Second-place finisher da Matta was content with his final result and complimented Castroneves' driving style: "It was a great finish for Texaco/Havoline and Toyota in a race they sponsor. The weekend got better and better since Friday but I didn't have anything left for Hélio today. He drove well and he deserved the win. I don't think he blocked me, any driver would have done the same." De Ferran was similarly pleased with his third-place finish, stating: "The car was very, very good in handling, probably the best car I've ever had. I was just trying to save fuel. It was a very smooth day for us, everything was very good. I am very happy being on the podium today." Carpentier's lap-55 collision with Papis caused his left wrist to slam against the carbon fiber wall in his cockpit, fracturing a bone in the process.Phillips David April 10, 2001 Carpentier Slated for Surgery and Texas http://www.speedvision.com/pub/articles/racing/03CART/010410a.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20011124145227/http://www.speedvision.com/pub/articles/racing/03CART/010410a.html November 24, 2001 November 18, 2025 SpeedVision He was evaluated by CART's orthopedic consultant Dr. Terry Trammell in Indianapolis, Indiana on Monday and underwent surgery on Tuesday.April 10, 2001 Carpentier Awaiting Medical Verdict http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=330 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030123185536/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=330 January 23, 2003 November 18, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Despite the injury, Carpentier was permitted to compete in the forthcoming Firestone Firehawk 600 at Texas Motor Speedway.Oreovicz John April 20, 2001 Carpentier Feels Ready to Race http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=363 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030123191000/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=363 January 23, 2003 November 18, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams He said of his crash: "I was convinced that he was in some kind of trouble, so I went to pass him on the inside. That's when he cut me off. I tried to avoid him but I hit the speed bump and that launched me into the air and into the back of Max (Papis') car." Papis explained: "All I knew is that I just got hit from behind. I have no idea what happened. It's a shame what happened to Patrick (Carpentier)." Carpentier's Forsythe Racing teammate Tagliani was frustrated at Tracy for making contact with him on the first lap and "didn't buy" the apology that Tracy gave him after the race. Tracy still felt remorse and stated: "I locked up the brakes and hit (Alex Tagliani) on the first lap. All I can do is apologize, it's my fault." Moreno was also sorry for wrecking fellow Brazilian driver Gugelmin: "Basically, everybody accelerated out of the corner and I looked down to change the map on the dash and when I looked up they had all stopped. I just couldn't catch it in time. There is no excuse for it, I made a mistake and I can only apologize at this point. I am really sorry because Mauricio is a good friend of mine, but all I can do is apologize publicly.”April 8, 2001 Patrick Drivers Both Score Points http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=310 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030123185913/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=310 January 23, 2003 November 18, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Gugelmin expressed annoyance over the incident, although he praised track marshals for moving several walls in the fourth and sixth corners and adding new catch fences to the circuit.Phillips David April 8, 2001 David Phillips' Sunday Long Beach Notebook http://speedvision.com/pub/articles/racing/03CART/010408c.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020203191920/http://speedvision.com/pub/articles/racing/03CART/010408c.html February 3, 2002 November 18, 2025 SpeedVision The race result meant that da Matta maintained his lead in the Drivers' Championship with 37 points, while de Ferran stood in second place on 30, three points ahead of teammate Castroneves and four ahead of Tracy. Vasser rounded out the top-five with 18 points. Lola and Reynard were tied for the lead in the Constructors' Championship, having each earned 18 points. In the Manufacturers' Championship, Honda assumed the lead on 38 points, one more than Toyota. Ford-Cosworth, with 14 points, stood third, while Phoenix had yet to earn a point with 19 races left in the season.Standings as of Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach http://www.cart.com/Standings.asp?EventID=2 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20010802103108/http://www.cart.com/Standings.asp?EventID=2 August 2, 2001 November 18, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Race classification Pos PositionNo. Car NumberDriverTeamLapsTime/RetiredGrid Final starting grid positionPts. Points1 3BRA Hélio CastronevesTeam Penske821:52:17.779 1 221 12 6BRA Cristiano da MattaNewman/Haas Racing82 +0.534 4 163 1BRA Gil de FerranTeam Penske82 +1.787 5 144 26CAN Paul TracyTeam Green82 +2.435 12 12540USA Jimmy VasserPatrick Racing82 +3.342810627SCO Dario FranchittiTeam Green82 +4.85568755BRA Tony KanaanMo Nunn Racing82 +5.91536812FRA Nicolas MinassianChip Ganassi Racing82 +6.74914594BRA Bruno JunqueiraChip Ganassi Racing82 +7.5652841077USA Bryan HertaForsythe Racing82 +11.1691531120BRA Roberto MorenoPatrick Racing82 +11.5882221252JAP Shinji NakanoFernández Racing82 +12.3642311316MEX Michel Jourdain Jr.Bettenhausen Racing82 +13.45871422ESP Oriol ServiàSigma Autosport82 +18.602241519GER Michael KrummDale Coyne Racing82 +20.583251651MEX Adrian FernándezFernández Racing81 +1 lap26177ITA Max PapisTeam Rahal81 +1 lap131833CAN Alex TaglianiForsythe Racing81 +1 lap111918NZL Scott DixonPacWest Racing81 +1 lap18205JAP Toranosuke TakagiWalker Racing74 Contact162125BRA Max WilsonArciero Brooke Racing67 Contact212217BRA Maurício GugelminPacWest Racing59Contact192332CAN Patrick CarpentierForsythe Racing53Contact172411BRA Christian FittipaldiNewman/Haas Racing47Electrical10258SWE Kenny BräckTeam Rahal31Gearbox22666ITA Alex ZanardiMo Nunn Racing27Overheating202721BRA Luiz Garcia Jr.Dale Coyne Racing18Handling272839USA Michael AndrettiTeam Motorola3Electrical9Sources: Notes 1 1 – Includes two bonus points for leading the most laps and being the fastest qualifier.http://pdfsr.com/pdf/cart-2001-rule-book-electronic-version-1 CART FedEx Championship Series - 2001 Rule Book Championship Auto Racing Teams March 2001 https://web.archive.org/web/20160528174124/http://pdfsr.com/pdf/cart-2001-rule-book-electronic-version-1 2016-05-28 bot: unknown 2017-05-22 Standings after the race + Drivers' Championship standings Pos. Position Driver Points 10px1BRA Cristiano da Matta37 10px2BRA Gil de Ferran30 (–7) 10px 53BRA Hélio Castroneves27 (–10) 10px 14CAN Paul Tracy26 (–11) 10px 15USA Jimmy Vasser18 (–19)Sources: + Constructors' Championship standings Pos. Position Constructor Points 10px 1GBR Lola 38 10px 2GBR Reynard 38 (–0)Sources: + Manufacturers' Championship standings Pos. Position Manufacturer Points 10px 1 1JPN Honda 38 10px 1 2JPN Toyota 37 (–1) 10px3GBR Ford-Cosworth 14 (–24) 10px4GBR Phoenix 0 (–38)Sources: References Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach 2001 2001 Tecate/Telmex Monterrey Grand Prix 2001 Firestone Firehawk 600 2000 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach 2002 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Long Beach Grand Prix Category:2001 in sports in California Category:Grand Prix of Long Beach