ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. (March 1, 2004) - Starting at the front and finishing at the front, Cooper Tires Championship Series alumni enjoyed a great start to the Indy Racing League season-opener at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

In qualifying on Saturday, former Formula Ford Zetec Championship race winner Buddy Rice edged out fellow Zetec Championship alumni star Alex Barron for the pole. For Rice and Team Rahal it marked the first pole position in the IRL.

On race day the Cooper Series alumni really came to the forefront. Starting pole, Rice led the opening 34 laps and looked to be in contention for the win, until a cut tire diminished those hopes. Going the opposite direction was Dan Wheldon and Sam Hornish Jr. Starting mid-pack, former Zetec Champion and IRL Rookie of the Year Wheldon steadily worked his way forward, while two-time IRL champion and Zetec Championship alumni Hornish Jr. moved to the front. In a fantastic late race battle, both Hornish Jr. and Wheldon took turns leading the race. At the checkered flag, Hornish Jr. had captured his series leading 12th career victory, while Wheldon finished third, for his second career podium position. Recovering from the cut tire polesitter Rice joined the Zetec Championship alumni duo in the top-10 with a seventh place finish.

Widely regarded as North America's premier open-wheel training series, the Formula Ford Zetec Championship is part of the Cooper Tires Championship Series. Offering the complete motorsports education, with emphasis on cost-effective racing, the Cooper Series features the Zetec Championship, the Formula SCCA Championship and the Avon Sports 2000 Championship.

The 2004 Cooper Tires Championship Series season gets underway March 16-18, 2004 at Sebring International Raceway. Racing at Sebring will be the Zetec Championship and the Formula SCCA.

For additional information on the Cooper Tires Championship Series, please contact Michelle Kish at (973) 575-2626, e-mail MichelleKish@usff2000.com or visit www.cooperseries.com