Christian Fittipaldi, NHR Driver 1996-2002 (7 seasons, 117 starts)
“My favorite win with Newman/Haas was at Road America (1999). It was a perfect weekend – a Hollywood-type weekend. It was our home race, all of our sponsors were there as well as family of the team members and we finished 1-2 with Michael. It couldn’t have been better. Everyone was really happy because, with all honesty we had the opportunity to win before but it hadn’t happened. It was overdue so it was a big relief and everyone was really happy and celebrating. It was nice to do it with everyone there. One of my best memories was one to two hours after the podium when I was celebrating with Carl and Berni (Bernadette Haas) and the team. Everyone was so happy and partying. My other win was in Fontana and the purse was $1 million but Road America is still my favorite.
“There are a lot of good things about the team but one of the strongest aspects is there are lot of loyal people that work for Carl. He hires very, very good people. Everyone is competent at the shop from the office staff to the race shop—everyone who works for him. I was proud to be part of Newman/Haas Racing, so proud they hired me.
“Obviously there were some heated and stressful times over the years when I drove for the team but my relationship with Carl, Paul, Berni and everyone was as good as it gets. With Carl, our word, going both ways, was more important than a piece of signed paper. Carl was very supportive after my accident in Australia and I will never forget that. We created a good bond. That’s why the good people stay there—the loyalty. ”
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