Gugelmin is first Texas Wallbanger

The 38-year old Brazilian lost control of his Nextel Toyota/Reynard at the entrance to Turn 3 and heavily damaged it against the outside wall. Gugelmin was extricated from the car by the CART Safety Team and taken to the CART medical facility at the track. Dr. Steve Olvey reported that Gugelmin suffered minor bruising from the seat belts and HANS Device helmet straps, but no other apparent injuries. He was awake and alert at the scene of the accident, but he was transferred by ambulance to North Hills Medical Center for precautionary X-rays to his neck.

Ironically, in his role as president of the Championship Drivers Association (the US version of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association), Gugelmin has led efforts to implement safety improvements at Texas Motor Speedway.

"The Texas Motor Speedway folks have done a great job," commented Tony Kanaan. "Everything that the CDA asked for in terms of safety was completed. But the truth is, it's just another oval. It has a different configuration to what we are used to, but it's just as dangerous as anyplace else.

"It isn't the kind of place to make a stupid move," Kanaan added. "We were given a pretty stern lecture in the drivers meeting to take care of each other. The CDA is making everyone closer, and I'd say we're all behaving better than we did."