Indy 500 second on Brack’s list

Tim Puet

Thursday, Dec. 16, 1999 | 11:47 a.m.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Although Kenny Brack hopes to defend his Indianapolis 500 championship, he's also got other things on his mind.

Like getting used to his new surroundings.

The 1998 Indy Racing League champion will be a CART rookie next season, driving for Bobby Rahal's team.

"I needed a new challenge, and CART was the logical place to go because it's bigger than the IRL and has more variety," the 33-year-old Swede said. "Besides, my background in Europe was in road racing and that's really what I was accustomed to until moving to the IRL."

The younger of the open-wheel circuits sticks to ovals while CART also races on road courses. But that wasn't the decisive factor in Brack's switch.

"I was hoping to go with CART because I felt I'd done everything I could in the IRL after winning the championship there and the 500," he said.

In fact, Brack (pronounced Breck) had no way of knowing when he committed to retired driver Rahal that a return to the 500 would even be possible.

After he changed circuits, CART released a schedule containing a two-week hiatus in May - just enough time for its teams to become maverick entries in the Memorial Day weekend classic.

If Rahal knew CART might participate in Indy, he never used it as a carrot to get Brack to replace Bryan Herta in one of his two cars.

"When I spoke with Bobby the first time, we never even mentioned the 500," Brack said. "Bobby offered me a deal fairly quickly, we talked a little bit about it and that was it."

Rahal was one of the first CART owners to acknowledge he was considering Indy. The 1986 Indy 500 champ said last week he's still a long way from a final decision.

"It's not just a matter of saying we want to go and doing it," he said. "There are a lot of issues to deal with involving our sponsors, getting the additional equipment we need, and determining whether in the end we have the personnel to handle the extra work."

At least 14 CART teams are said to be interested in Indy, with a possible 22 cars hoping to make the field. But none are expected to make any immediate announcements.

Brack would like to hear one from his boss, but says other business is more important.

"My goal now is to win in Champ Cars, but no one would be happier than me if we could go back," he said.

Right now, one of the adjustments Brack must make is the move from irascible IRL car owner A.J. Foyt to the low-key Rahal. Although he's excited about his new ride, Brack insists he will miss driving for Foyt.

"He really was like a daddy to me," Brack said. "His advice was always good, and it meant a lot to have his support when it came time to leave.

"In the end, he told me, 'You need to make a move, because otherwise you'll regret not doing it for the rest of your life."'

Brack says Rahal is more structured as an owner but no less determined to win.

"His bottom line is the same, so there's really a lot in common between him and A.J.," Brack said.

Rahal said he's pleased with what he's seen of Brack so far. The three-time CART champion says the Swede is very methodical.

He sees Brack as a driver filled with motivation and fire not just to take part, but to be among the best.

"You get the sense he understands what the challenges of this type of racing are and he doesn't need anyone else to give him a push," Rahal said.