As IndyCar racing attempted to pull itself apart in 1996, with the infamous split caused by the formation of the Indy Racing League, the CART World Series side of the deal received its best possible gift: Alex Zanardi.
From the ashes of Team Lotus in Formula 1, and just a handful of BPR GT and Porsche Supercup outings, Zanardi got to test for Chip Ganassi Racing at the end of 1995 thanks to Reynard’s Rick Gorne. Signed up after an impressive run, Zanardi joined Jimmy Vasser – who’d been with the team since the start of that season – for 1996, replacing Team Rahal-bound Bryan Herta.
Vasser started on a hot streak, winning four of the first six races, while Zanardi’s breakthrough win came at Portland in round nine. Vasser wouldn’t win again but his consistency won him the title, 22 points clear of Michael Andretti.
Zanardi, who finished third, truly made his mark with a sensational victory in the season finale at Laguna Seca, when he mugged Herta at the Corkscrew on the…
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