Sunday began with much nicer weather and a much more aggressive group of celebrities. Alfonzo Ribero and Sean Patrick Flannery were there, and those two are pretty good. Most club racers skipped practice and just went out for qualifying. Now that all the non-celebrities knew the course, it didn't make much sense to risk damaging the car. Qualifying went well with just about everyone turning faster times than the day before. Karl told me over the radio that I qualified 2nd overall and 1st in SSB. Who had the pole? No way! Sean Flannery in a Challenge car!! Wow!
It was decided that Sean would get the overall pole and be an honorary club racer for this race, starting with us at the front of the grid. It was pretty cool. Sean was noticeably nervous, and I assured him I would not hit him on purpose ;). Most of us club racers predicted much more chaos after seeing how the celebrities drove in qualifying. We were right.
I got the slightest of jumps on Sean at the start and pretty much pulled clear of the pack by the first turn. I hadn't spent as much time warming up the tires on the pace lap and it definitely showed. My car was loose through turns one and two enough to require throttle and opposite lock to catch the rear. Luckily, people were stacking up battling each other behind me and never got a chance to make a move. Sean and I opened up a big gap ahead of the rest of the field for the next 7 or 8 laps. I was working hard to stay in front of him. Eventually one celebrity put the car into the wall coming out of turn four and parked it off line on the right. Alfonzo Ribero next took out Caroline Wright going into turn three and she slammed the wall pretty good. It was enough to hurt her shoulder, bring out the ambulance, and cause a full course yellow. We putted around for a few laps as they cleaned up the wreckage. Both Neal Sapp and Jeff Altenburg got the black flag shook at them. Apparently they were leaning on each other pretty hard and both cars had significant cosmetic damage. On the restart, I accelerated a little bit after the last turn, then leveled off, then accelerated a little more, then leveled off again. People got impatient and stacked up behind me. Sean popped me in the back bumper, and I then stood on the gas. The green flag flew and I got a good surge on the rest of the field, heh heh. Going into turn one, Altenburg lost it on the brakes and went straight, handing 2nd place in SSC to Jeff Luckritz. We all ran hard to the end. Unfortunately, Sean faded away in my mirror with only two laps to go. I guess he was running the car so hard, the engine overheated and seized up. I got the checkered flag, coming in with my 10th Neon Challenge win, 4th Neon Challenge victory in a row, and 3rd consecutive Neon Challenge Championship!
February 6, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LONG BEACH, Calif. -- American bicycle racing legend Greg LeMond has been named by Toyota Motorsports to compete in the "Pro" category of the 22nd annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race to be held April 4 in Long Beach, Calif.
An internationally-renowned, three-time Tour de France winner and cycling world champion, LeMond comes to this year's Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race as a professional racer currently driving in the SCCA/USAC Formula F-2000 Series. To be run as part of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach race weekend, the prestigious race pits celebrities and professional drivers in a bumper-to-bumper battle.
"I've always loved competition and now that my time is not taken up with cycling, I decided to pursue auto racing and see how far it will take me," said LeMond. "I knew from my cycling experience that proper training would enhance my chances of success on the race circuit. My ultimate dream is to one day race an Indy car."
LeMond will join a host of other celebrity stars-turned-professional drivers who have participated in past Toyota Pro/Celebrity Races and have then gone on to pursue serious racing interests. They include Craig T. Nelson ("Coach"), who has competed in the IMSA 24-Hours at Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring; Bruce Jenner (former Olympian), who was a long-time IMSA competitor; and football greats Joe Montana and Walter Payton, who currently co-own CART teams.
Additionally, Toyota has seen the likes of Alfonso Ribeiro ("The Fresh Prince of Bel Air"), Mark-Paul Gosselaar ("Saved by the Bell"), Grant Show ("Melrose Place"), Robert Hays ("Airplane"), Lorenzo Lamas ("Renegade"), Jason Priestley ("Beverly Hills 90210") and Perry King ("Melrose Place") go on to race professionally.
This year, LeMond will compete head-to-head with film star-turned-driver Sean Patrick Flanery ("Powder" and upcoming film "Suicide Kings").
Highlights of the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race will be broadcast on ESPN Sunday, April 5 during the telecast of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. The 10-lap race, held on the 1.59-mile Champ car track, features a field of approximately 18 drivers.
In addition to the race, the event helps raise more than $80,000 for "Racing for Kids," a fundraising program benefiting Southern California children's hospitals. An additional $5,000 will be awarded to the race winner's charity of choice. Throughout the years, the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race has generated nearly $500,000 for charity.
SEAN PATRICK FLANERY TO DEFEND HIS TITLE AT THE 22nd ANNUAL TOYOTA PRO/CELEBRITY RACE
February 6, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LONG BEACH, Calif. (January 21, 1998) -- Sean Patrick Flanery, star of the motion picture "Powder" and upcoming film "Suicide Kings" with Christopher Walken, is returning as reigning champion in the 22nd annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, April 4 in Long Beach, Calif.
To be run as part of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach race weekend, the prestigious race pits professional drivers and celebrities in a bumper-to-bumper battle.
"Last year was a nail-biter and a real test of my driving skills," said Flanery, who edged fellow actor and former race winner Jason Bateman to the finish line a year ago. "Driving has really gotten into my blood, so I'm keyed up about the race and my performance. It's going to be tough to repeat, but I'm definitely looking forward to the challenge."
With an eye on becoming a professional racer himself, Flanery will join a host of other celebrity stars-turned-drivers who have participated in past Toyota Pro/Celebrity Races and have then gone on to pursue serious racing interests. They include Craig T. Nelson ("Coach"), who has competed in the IMSA 24-Hours at Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring; Bruce Jenner (former Olympian), who was a long-time IMSA competitor; and football greats Joe Montana and Walter Payton, who currently co-own CART teams.
Additionally, Toyota has seen the likes of Alfonso Ribeiro ("The Fresh Prince of Bel Air"), Mark-Paul Gosselaar ("Saved by the Bell"), Grant Show ("Melrose Place"), Robert Hays ("Airplane"), Lorenzo Lamas ("Renegade"), Jason Priestley ("Beverly Hills 90210") and Perry King ("Melrose Place") go on to race professionally.
This year, Flanery will compete head-to-head with legendary American bicyclist Greg LeMond, who is now driving in the SCCA/USAC Formula F-2000 Series.
Highlights of the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race will be broadcast on ESPN Sunday, April 5 during the telecast of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. The 10-lap race, held on the 1.59-mile Champ car track, features a field of approximately 18 drivers.
In addition to the race, the event helps raise more than $80,000 for "Racing for Kids," a fundraising program benefiting Southern California children's hospitals. An additional $5,000 will be awarded to the race winner's charity of choice. Throughout the years, the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race has generated nearly $500,000 for charity.
February 17, 1998
LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Joshua Morrow, who stars as Nick Newman on CBS' top-rated daytime television show "The Young and the Restless," is ready to take on a new challenge -- auto racing.
A two-time Emmy Award-nominee, the 22-year-old soap opera star has agreed to participate in this year's Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race in Long Beach, Calif. on April 4. This event will be a part of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach race weekend and pits celebrities and professional drivers in a bumper-to-bumper battle.
"I love the sporting life, the thrill of competition and the challenge of doing something new," said Morrow, an all-around athlete in high school who excelled in football, baseball and soccer. "This is a serious race that requires a lot of training and practice just to keep your car on the road. I definitely have my work cut out for me, but I'm looking forward to it."
Scheduled to compete in the "celebrity" category of the race, Morrow will compete head-to-head with a host of other top-name stars including Sean Patrick Flanery, Cameron Diaz and Greg LeMond.
Highlights of the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race will be broadcast on ESPN, Sunday, April 5 during the telecast of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach (4 p.m. EST). The 10-lap race, held on the 1.59-mile Champ car track, features a field of approximately 18 drivers.
In addition to the race, the event helps raise more than $80,000 for "Racing for Kids," a fundraising program benefiting Southern California children's hospitals. An additional $5,000 will be awarded to the race winner's charity of choice. Throughout the years, the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race has generated nearly $500,000 for charity.
February 26, 1998
What:
The 22nd Annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race
The Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race is a 10-lap race pitting today's hottest stars against professional drivers in identically prepared, race-ready, Toyota Celicas. Part of the 24th annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Indy car weekend, the Pro/Celebrity Race will raise more than $80,000 for Southern California children's hospitals.
When:
Practice/Press Day: Wednesday March 25, 1998
Qualifying: Friday, April 3, 1998
Race: Saturday, April 4, 1998
Where:
Through the streets of downtown Long Beach on the 1.59-mile Indy car circuit.
Who:
The following professional drivers and celebrities are currently slated to be in the race:
Cameron Diaz -- "My Best Friend's Wedding," "The Mask," etc.
James Belushi -- "Curly Sue," "Red Heat," "Mr. Destiny," etc.
Greg LeMond -- Legendary cyclist/Formula 2000 driver
Sean Patrick Flanery -- "Suicide Kings," "Powder," etc.
Queen Latifah -- Khadijah on "Living Single" and Grammy-winner
Eric Braeden -- Victor Newman on "The Young and the Restless"
Joshua Morrow -- Nick Newman on "The Young and the Restless"
Cathrine Bell -- Sarah "Mac" MacKenzie on "JAG"
Deryl Mitchell -- Leo on "Veronica's Closet"
Andy Lauer -- Charlie on "Caroline in the City"
Cristen Powell -- Top Fuel, NHRA Drag Racing prodigy
Derrick Thomas -- Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro linebacker
Jim Moret -- National News Anchor "CNN Showbiz Today"
Carlos Amezcua -- LA Television News Anchor "KTLA Morning News"
Junko Mihara -- Well-known actress in Japan
Kumi Sato -- Well-know journalist in Japan
Bob Fouts -- Charity auction winner
John Cabe -- Award-winning Toyota dealer
The celebrity drivers listed above are subject to change pending film contracts and/or personal challenges.
Vehicle:
Toyota Celica GT Liftback
Please Note:
This is not the Indy car race that occurs Sunday (April 5).
Background:
Past Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race participants include:
Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, James Brolin, William Shatner, Joe Montana, Mary Lou Retton, Lorenzo Lamas, Cuba Gooding Jr., David Hasselhoff, Woody Harrelson, Jay Leno, Kelsey Grammer, Dwight Yoakam, Stephen Baldwin, Leeza Gibbons, Dennis Franz, Jason Priestley, Tim Allen, Crystal Bernard, Anthony Edwards, Matt LeBlanc, Grant Show and last year's winner Sean Patrick Flanery.
Charitable Benefits:
Monies raised from this year's event will benefit children's hospitals of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Orange County. On behalf of each Pro/Celebrity driver, Toyota will donate $3,000 to "Racing for Kids," a national fundraising program for children's hospitals across the country. An additional $5,000 will be donated to the race winner's charity of choice. Throughout the years, Toyota has donated approximately $430,000 to charity on behalf of the race and its participants.
TOYOTA ANNOUNCES PARTICIPANTS FOR 22nd ANNUAL PRO/CELEBRITY RACE
March 16, 1998 LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Major stars from film, television, sports and music are set to face off in the world's longest-running, most successful celebrity auto racing event. Toyota Motorsports today announced one of its most diverse driver fields ever for the 22nd annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race in Long Beach, Calif. on Saturday, April 4. The 10-lap race, held on the 1.59-mile Champ car track, will be part of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach race weekend and this year is expected to raise more than $80,000 for Southern California children's hospitals. This year's field of 18 features an eclectic group of entertainment personalities, internationally-renowned celebrities and, for the first time ever, six female drivers. Stars driving in the race include: Cameron Diaz ("My Best Friend's Wedding"); James Belushi ("K-9" and "Mr. Destiny"); Queen Latifah (Khadijah on "Living Single" and a Grammy-winner); Joshua Morrow (Nick Newman on "The Young and the Restless"); Catherine Bell (Sarah "Mac" MacKenzie on "JAG"); Daryl Mitchell (Leo on "Veronica's Closet"); Eric Braeden (Victor Newman on "The Young and the Restless"); Andy Lauer (Charlie on "Caroline in the City"); and Derrick Thomas (Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro linebacker). Also competing are Jim Moret, international news anchor for "CNN Showbiz Today" and Carlos Amezcua, Los Angeles-area news anchor for "KTLA Morning News." In addition, the 1998 field includes two celebrities-turned-auto racers -- last year's celebrity champion Sean Patrick Flanery ("Suicide Kings" and "Powder") and legendary bicyclist and now Formula F-2000 Series driver Greg LeMond. Rounding out the celebrities are: 19-year-old drag racer Cristen Powell, the youngest female to ever win a Top Fuel championship event; Junko Mihara, a popular actress, singer, entertainer and auto racer in Japan; and Kumi Sato, a well-known journalist and auto racer in Japan. "The Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race is renowned for attracting top-name celebrity and professional drivers because it offers the high speed and challenge of real car racing," said Les Unger, Toyota's national motorsports manager. "We have one of our most diverse group of drivers ever for this year's event and expect a tremendous battle to the finish line." Rounding out the current field of drivers are John Cabe, an award-winning Toyota dealer in Long Beach, and Bob Fouts, who earned his spot by making the high bid of $50,000 at last year's Toyota Grand Prix Charity Ball auction for the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race seat. Proceeds from the auction and Toyota help raise in excess of $80,000 on behalf of "Racing for Kids," a fundraising program benefiting Southern California children's hospitals. An additional $5,000 will be awarded to the race winner's charity of choice. In addition, a $5,000 donation will be made this year in conjunction with the first annual "PEOPLE Pole Award." Sponsored by PEOPLE magazine, the inaugural award honors the pole position winner of the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race qualifying session on Friday, April 3. All told, the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race has generated nearly $500,000 for charity throughout the years. Highlights of the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race will be broadcast on ESPN, Sunday, April 5 during the telecast of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach CART race beginning at 4 p.m. EST. The Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race will be broadcast in its entirety on ESPN on Sunday, April 26 from 11:30 a.m. to Noon (PST) and again on Monday, April 27 from Noon to 12:30 p.m. (PST). The race will also be aired on ESPN2 on Sunday, June 7 from 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. (PST).
ANDY LAUER TAKES POLE POSITION FOR THE 22nd ANNUAL TOYOTA PRO/CELEBRITY RACE
April 4, 1998 "Caroline in the City" Star Wins 1st Annual "PEOPLE Pole Award" Sponsored By PEOPLE Magazine
LONG BEACH, Calif. (April 3, 1998) -- Actor Andy Lauer, who plays "Charlie" on the popular NBC comedy series "Caroline in the City," turned in the fastest lap (1:23.828) in today's qualifying round of the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race to take the pole position for Saturday's race. The top professional driver was cycling great Greg LeMond with a time of 1:22.248.
Along with winning the coveted front row position for the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, Lauer also earned the first annual "PEOPLE Pole Award." Sponsored by PEOPLE magazine, the inaugural award includes a $5,000 donation to the celebrity's charity of choice. Lauer is donating the money to the Lancelot H. Owens Scholarship Fund, a charity formed in the memory of Queen Latifah's brother.
Following a tight qualifying round, Lauer was only a split second faster than "Young and the Restless" star Eric Braeden (1:23.968) and film star Cameron Diaz (1:24.043). In the pro class, LeMond was only a fraction of a second ahead of Sean Patrick Flanery (1:22.265). The five pro racers will start 30 seconds after all 12 celebrities leave the starting line.
The Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, which is part of the 24th annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach race weekend, will begin at 2:15 p.m. on Saturday, April 4 with a field of 17 drivers.
1998 TOYOTA PRO/CELEBRITY RACE NOTES AND QUOTES
April 6, 1998 RACE NOTES: The race ran clean. Sean Patrick Flanery and Greg LeMond battled head-to-head in the professional category for nine laps. The two bumped each other several times in turn seven, but both were able to continue (LeMond ended up locking up his brakes on one of the turns in the final lap.) Flanery was the overall winner while Andy Lauer finished first in the celebrity category.
Cameron Diaz:
"I made contact twice, but I stayed with it. John Cabe bumped me at the start and Sean came on the inside of me on turn six -- and then my brakes locked up on me."
"Turn six was so slick. I bumped Joshua Morrow going into that turn on the second lap. I felt bad for him, but it could have been worse."
"There's no room for fear out here. I feel much more confident because I have more experience than before."
Sean Patrick Flanery:
"The whole race felt good. I knew it was going to be a battle with Greg and he didn't disappoint me!"
"I knew it was going to come down to who was in first on the final lap. We went back and forth a few times, and then I got him on the last lap."
Andy Lauer:
"I just concentrated on running my own race and tried not to worry about the rest of the field. Eric Braeden was right on me for most of the race, but I held him off somehow."
"I was just trying to hold it together on the last lap with Sean coming up so quick. When Sean tapped me, I had no problem with letting him go by! I won my race and he won his!"
Greg LeMond:
"I can't believe I locked up the brakes in turn one on the final lap. Sean tapped me three times on turns six and seven, but I was able to hang on and keep control. Sean did the right thing in passing me -- it was a good race."
Sean Patrick Flanery And Andy Lauer Win the 22nd Annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race
April 6, 1998
LONG BEACH, Calif. -- For the second consecutive year, Sean Patrick Flanery, star of the film "Powder," outshined a field of celebrity and professional drivers to win overall at this year's Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race. Pole sitter Andy Lauer, who plays Charlie on the hit NBC comedy series "Caroline in the City," won the celebrity category. Driving in the professional category, Flanery made up a 30 second lag time and caught Lauer on the final lap of the race to capture the overall title. During his run to the lead, Flanery battled head-to-head for eight laps with fellow celebrity-turned-race car driver and bicycle racing legend Greg LeMond before LeMond locked up the brakes at one of the turns. Lauer, who earned the pole position during yesterday's qualifying session, held off fellow celebrity drivers John Cabe (Toyota dealer) and Eric Braeden of "The Young and the Restless" who finished second and third, respectively, in the celebrity division. "The whole race felt good," Flanery said. "I knew it was going to be a battle with Greg, and he definitely didn't disappoint. We went back and forth a few times, and then I got him on the final lap." Race Results: Celebrity Category 1. Andy Lauer (Charlie on "Caroline in the City) 2. John Cabe (award-winning Toyota dealer) 3. Eric Braeden ("Titanic," "The Young and the Restless") 4. Cameron Diaz ("My Best Friend's Wedding," "The Mask," etc.) 5. Derrick Thomas (Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro linebacker) 6. Daryl Mitchell (Leo on "Veronica's Closet") 7. Joshua Morrow (Nick Newman on "Young and the Restless") 8. Jim Moret (national news anchor -- "CNN Showbiz Today") 9. Carlos Amezcua (LA television news anchor -- "KTLA Morning News") 10. Catherine Bell (Marine Major Sarah "Mack" MacKenzie on "JAG") 11. Bob Fouts (charity auction winner) 12. Queen Latifah (Khadijah on "Living Single" and Grammy-winner) Race Results: Pro Category 1. Sean Patrick Flanery ("Suicide Kings," "Powder," etc.) 2. Kumi Sato (well-known journalist and auto racer in Japan) 3. Greg LeMond (legendary cyclist/Formula 2000 driver ) 4. Cristen Powell (19 year-old Top Fuel, NHRA drag racer) 5. Junko Mihara (popular actress in Japan)
This year, the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race raised more than $80,000 for "Racing for Kids," a fundraising program benefiting Southern California children's hospitals. All told, the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race has generated nearly $500,000 for charity throughout the years.
Highlights of the race will be broadcast on ESPN, Sunday, April 5 during the telecast of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach CART race beginning at 4 p.m. EST.
1998 Pro/Celebrity Race Results
April 17, 1998
Finish |
Car No. |
Start Pos. |
Name |
Total Time |
Sec. Behind Leader |
Fastest Lap |
Fastest Lap Time |
| 1 | 7 | 14 | Sean Patrick Flanery � Pro | 30:05.390 | � � |
9 | 1:29.522 (1st) |
| 2 | 18 | 1 | Andy Lauer | 30:07.702 | + 2.312 | 8 | 1:32.143 (11th) |
| 3 | 21 | 5 | John Cabe | 30:09.556 | + 4.166 | 10 | 1:30.654 (3rd) |
| 4 | 17 | 2 | Eric Braeden | 30:16.815 | + 11.425 | 8 | 1:31.856 (10th) |
| 5 | 24 | 15 | Kumi Sato � Pro | 30:19.333 | + 13.943 | 10 | 1:31.026 (5th) |
| 6 | 19 | 3 | Cameron Diaz | 30:20.753 | + 15.363 | 6 | 1:31.833 (9th) |
| 7 | 3 | 6 | Derrick Thomas | 30:22.193 | + 16.803 | 9 | 1:31.296 (7th) |
| 8 | 22 | 12 | Daryl "Chill" Mitchell | 30:23.807 | + 18.417 | 9 | 1:31.154 (6th) |
| 9 | 20 | 4 | Joshua Morrow | 30:32.464 | + 27.074 | 7 | 1:32.854 (14th) |
| 10 | 8 | 8 | Jim Moret | 30:33.362 | + 27.972 | 9 | 1:32.632 (12th) |
| 11 | 5 | 7 | Carlos Amezcua | 30:33.562 | + 28.172 | 4 | 1:33.449 (16th) |
| 12 | 10 | 11 | Catherine Bell | 30:34.192 | + 28.802 | 10 | 1:32.809 (13th) |
| 13 | 12 | 13 | Greg LeMond � Pro | 30:37.488 | + 32.098 | 6 | 1:29.637 (2nd) |
| 14 | 1 | 9 | Bob Fouts | 30:38.782 | + 33.392 | 7 | 1:33.084 (15th) |
| 15 | 6 | 17 | Cristen Powell � Pro | 30:39.680 | + 34.290 | 7 | 1:30.941 (4th) |
| 16 | 25 | 16 | Junko Mihara � Pro | 30:47.071 | + 41.681 | 7 | 1:31.542 (8th) |
| 17 | 11 | 10 | Queen Latifah | 31:16.245 | + 1:10.855 | 7 | 1:34.548 (17th) |
* Pro Category Racers Started 30 Seconds Behind the Celebrity Racers.
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