Steve Knapp, former test driver for Mario and Michael Andretti at Newman/Haas Racing, turned in dazzling debut last May by charging from 22nd to third at Indianapolis to take rookie honors. Qualified fifth at Dover. Driving for PDM Racing in 1999. Won 1996 U.S. F2000 championship.

Knapp graduated from the KOOL/Toyota Atlantic Series to the Indy Racing League with the announcement that he would pilot ISM Racing's third entry in the 1998 Indianapolis 500. He started 23rd and quickly charged to the front of the field, taking the third finishing position and Rookie of the Year honors. Knapp will run at least a three-race package with ISM for the remainder of the 1998 schedule.

Knapp began racing sports cars in 1985, winning the SCCA National Pro Sports 2000 championship in 1986 and '87. He took time off from racing for much of the 1990s before winning the U.S. F2000 championship in 1996.

In 1997, Knapp finished sixth in the KOOL/Toyota Atlantic series, with a best finish of second at Vancouver. He passed his IRL driver's test at Las Vegas late in 1997 and his Indianapolis Motor Speedway rookie test in April, 1998.

Sources: Star/News and SpeedNet staff reports.