Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Newman/Haas Racing picks Junqueira

Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2002 | 9:49 a.m.

Brian Hilderbrand covers motor sports for the Las Vegas Sun. His motor sports notebook appears Friday. He can be reached at bh@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4089.

CART team owners Paul Newman and Carl Haas wasted little time in filling their driver vacancy Tuesday.

Shortly after series champion Cristiano da Matta announced that he was leaving the team to drive for Toyota next season in Formula One, Newman/Haas Racing named Bruno Junqueira to drive for the four-time CART championship team in 2003.

The 26-year-old Junqueira, who is second to da Matta in championship points with one race remaining, has two victories this year in his second season driving for Target/Chip Ganassi Racing.

"I'm happy to join Newman/Haas Racing," Junqueira said. "They have been the team to beat all season long and they have worked hard to win the championship. They have won many races and four championships over the years and they are one of the most experienced teams."

Earlier in the day, da Matta made official what had been the worst kept secret in the CART paddock when he announced he had signed a two-year deal to join French driver Olivier Panis with Toyota.

"I have accomplished one of my goals by winning the CART driver's championship title," da Matta said. "I am very thankful to Carl Haas, Paul Newman and all of Newman/Haas Racing for the support, hard work and accomplishments that we have achieved together. Now I am ready for the next challenge."

Newman/Haas Racing has 68 race wins and 70 pole positions in 20 seasons of CART competition.

The "King of the Outlaws," however, isn't about to let up going into the season finale Friday and Saturday at the half-mile dirt track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

"It feels really good to win the championship again," Kinser said. "We want to go ahead and finish this season and hope everything works out well. I'd like to win another main event before the end of the year to get to an even 20."

Kinser is the all-time winningest driver in WoO history with 470 career victories.

Racing in seven classes will be held Friday through Sunday. Visit www.cartstars.com for a compete schedule.