Merkurs in Racing 
Spotlight: Scott Pruett

Scott Pruett is representative of many fine racers in the US and abroad, that have piloted a Merkur to victory. His success in the mid-1980’s with the Rousch Racing prepared Merkur XR4TI helped to make the Merkur a standout in racing history.

The California native began his racing career with karts in 1981. He went on to win 13 amateur and ten pro kart championships during his career, and was inducted into the World Karting Hall of Fame in 1991.

Pruett made two IMSA starts in 1984 and recorded his first pro victory in a GTO Thunderbird at Pocono in 1985. Pruett captured the IMSA GTO championship in 1986 with seven wins and nine poles in a Merury Merkur XR4TI, and won the SCCA Trans-Am championship in 1987 with seven wins and nine poles. He earned the first of his four class wins in 1987 at the 24 Hours of Daytona (1987, ’88, ’89, ’92) and won the overall title in 1994.

In 1988 Pruett made his CART debut and appeared in three races, with a best finish of 16th at Meadowlands. Pruett was named Most Improved Driver in 1989 and earned his first two podium finishes. In 1990 Pruett spent the year recovering from multiple injuries to his ankle, heels, knees and back, sustained during a devastating crash while testing in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Pruett rebounded in 1991 to finish 10th in the PPG Cup championship, and earned the Most Improved Driver award for the second time in his career. From 1991 to 1993, Pruett claimed seven top-five finishes and 12 top-ten finishes.

In 1994 Pruett joined Patrick Racing but did not compete in the series, as the team did extensive testing for Firestone in preparation for the tire manufacturer’s return to Champ Car racing the following year. He also raced in the SCCA Trans-Am Championship that year and won the championship.

During Firestone’s return to Champ Car competition in 1995,, Pruett finished seventh in the championship standings, and claimed his first career CART victory at Michigan.

Pruett claimed one pole, the first of his career, and three podium finishes in 1996 on his way to a total of four top-five finishes and five top-ten finishes. He finished tenth in the championship standings. The following year, in 1997, Pruett earned his second career CART win, in Australia, and also won two poles. He finished ninth in the championship standings behind three podium appearances, six top-five finishes and five top-tens.

Pruett raced for Patrick Racing in 1998, scoring one pole, seven top-five finishes and three top-ten finishes. He completed 3,769.684 miles of competition in 19 CART events and 2,154 laps, finishing sixth in drivers' points. It was the fourth consecutive year, and fifth overall, that Pruett finished in the top-ten in the CART standings.

In 1999 Pruett signed on with Arciero-Wells Racing and drove along side teammate Cristiano da Matta. He piloted the Toyota powered #24 Pioneer/MCI Worldcom car to 6 top-10 placings.

Pruett left the Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) open-wheel Indy car circuit in 2000 for an opportunity to join the hot stock-car Winston Cup series. Pruett signed a multi-year agreement to drive the No. 32 Tide Ford for PPI Motorsports.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

1998
CART, Patrick Racing. Three podium finishes: second at Portland, second at Mid-Ohio and third at Vancouver. One pole at Fontana. Seven top-five finishes and three top-ten finishes. Finished sixth in the Drivers’ Championship.

1997
CART, Patrick Racing. Three podium finishes: won Australia, third at Long Beach and third at Rio. Two poles: Portland and Michigan. Eleven top-ten finishes. Finished ninth in the Drivers’ Championship.

1996
CART, Patrick Racing. Three podium finishes: Rio, Australia and Laguna. One pole: Detroit. Nine top-ten finishes. Finished tenth in Drivers’ Championship.

Competed in International Race of Champions (IROC) and finished seventh in Drivers’ Championship.

1995
CART, Patrick Racing. Won Michigan, three additional podium finishes: Long Beach, Australia and Detroit. Ten top-ten finishes. Finished seventh in the Drivers’ Championship. Competed in IROC and finished third in Drivers’ Championship.

1994
Joined Patrick Racing. Firestone Tire test team driver. Competed in SCCA Trans-Am Series and won Drivers’ Championship. Competed in IMSA 24 Hours of Daytona and won overall title.

1993
CART, Pro Formance Team. Ran in only six of 17 events: two top-ten finishes.

1992
CART, TrueSports. Ten top-ten finishes. Finished eleventh in the Drivers’Championship. Competed in IROC and finished ninth in Drivers’ Championship. Competed in IMSA 24 Hours of Daytona, finished second overall.

1991
CART, TrueSports. Seven top-ten finishes. Finished tenth in Drivers’ Championship. Voted STP Most Improved Driver by CART peers. Competed in IROC; won Daytona and finished fourth in Drivers’ Championship. Competed in IMSA 24 Hours of Daytona. Inducted into World Karting Hall of Fame.

1990
Recovered from injuries sustained during CART testing. Competed in IMSA GTP competition.

1989
CART, TrueSports. Competed in first full season of CART competition. Eleven top-ten finishes. Finished eighth in the Drivers’ Championship. Voted Most Improved Driver by CART peers. Won Co-Rookie of the Year honors at Indianapolis.

1988
Started CART competition. Simon/Machinists Union Team. Ran three races. Won in IMSA GTO Drivers’ Championship. Won GTO 24 Hours of Daytona. Competed in IROC and finished third in Drivers’ Championship.

1987
SCCA Trans-Am. Won SCCA Trans-Am Drivers’ Championship. Won seven races and nine poles in a Merkur XR4TI. Competed in IMSA GTP and GTO divisions. Won 24 Hours of Daytona GTO division. Competed in IROC and finished eighth in Drivers’ Championship.

1986
IMSA GTO and GTP. Won IMSA GTO Drivers’ Championship, seven wins and nine poles. Named IMSA GT Endurance Champion. Won IMSA GTP race at Columbus, Ohio. Competed in SCCA Trans-Am and finished eighth in Drivers’ Championship.

1985
IMSA GTO and GTU. Won GTO race at Pocono. Six top-five finishes and two top-ten in GTU.

1984
Started IMSA GTU competition.

1982-1983
GPX Karting.

1981
Professional Karting Association. Won World Title. Won 13 amateur and ten Pro Kart Championships.