1996 Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix


The 1996 Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix was a CART race which happened at the Nazareth Speedway on April 28, 1996. It was the 5th round of the 1996 IndyCar season.

Qualifying

driver Paul Tracy set the a mph speed of 190.737 mph, and also, the pole. It was a New Track Record.

Race

Start - Lap 95

At lap 15, 1st caution came out as Hiro Matsushita collided with Juan Manuel Fangio II. The restart came out at lap 22. The top 10 at lap 25: Paul Tracy, Emerson Fittipaldi, Scott Pruett, Michael Andretti, Jimmy Vasser, Al Unser, Jr., Bobby Rahal, Robby Gordon, Greg Moore and Christian Fittipaldi. At lap 53, Hiro Matsushita was the 1st driver to retire. At lap 79, Andretti stalled his car after a 13.4 pitstop. He continued in the race. At the following lap, the race leader Paul Tracy had hit three mechanics in one move after stop his car in his pit area. The mechanics were not badly injured, but were taken to the hospital. At lap 89, Paul Tracy received a black flag penalty because of the incident with his mechanics. The top 6 at lap 95 was: Michael Andretti, Al Unser, Jr., Greg Moore, Emerson Fittipaldi, Bobby Rahal and Christian Fittipaldi.

Lap 115- Lap 141

At lap 115, 2nd caution came out, as Roberto Moreno lost one of his rear wheels. At the following lap, Gil de Ferran retired after having suspension problems. He collided with Adrian Fernandez in the pits. Restart came out at lap 128. At lap 141, the top 12 was: Michael Andretti, Emerson Fittipaldi, Al Unser, Jr., Greg Moore, Bobby Rahal, Jimmy Vasser, Paul Tracy, Scott Pruett, Christian Fittipaldi, Raul Boesel, Robby Gordon and Adrian Fernandez.

Closing stages. 33 laps to go

With 33 laps to go, 3rd caution came out as Robby Gordon hit the wall at turn 1. He retired. When the restart would come out, Raul Boesel's engine blew up. The restart came out with 23 laps to go. Andretti's lead was growing up and any problem happened to him as he won the race.

Final Results

  1. Michael Andretti
  2. Greg Moore
  3. Al Unser, Jr.
  4. Emerson Fittipaldi
  5. Paul Tracy
  6. Bobby Rahal
  7. Jimmy Vasser
  8. Scott Pruett
  9. Christian Fittipaldi
  10. Adrian Fernandez
  11. Bryan Herta
  12. André Ribeiro
  13. Alex Zanardi
  14. Mike Groff
  15. Maurício Gugelmin
  16. Teo Fabi
  17. Eddie Lawson
  18. Jeff Krosnoff
  19. Stefan Johansson
  20. Parker Johnstone

    Did not finish

  21. Raul Boesel engine
  22. Robby Gordon contact
  23. Gil de Ferran suspension
  24. Roberto Moreno lost wheel
  25. Juan Manuel Fangio II did not finish
  26. Hiro Matsushita did not finish

    Points Standings after 5 races

  27. Jimmy Vasser 73 points
  28. Al Unser, Jr. 53 points
  29. Scott Pruett 49 points
  30. Greg Moore 36 points
  31. Gil de Ferran 33 points
  32. Christian Fittipaldi 32 points