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A Conversation with Paul Durant

Wednesday June 25th 7:00 PDT

Interview  Live Chat

Join us for a live interview with Indy car race driver Paul Durant
and participate in our live chat!

About Paul:

Birthdate: September 26, 1959, San Diego, Calif.
Residence: Manteca, Calif.
Ht./Wt.: 5-9, 140
Marital Status: Married (Ruth)
Children: Melissa, Rebecca
IRL Races: 2
1996 IRL Rank: 27
1996 Prize Money: $159,153

Indianapolis "500" Record (Passed Driver's Test 1996)
                                      
     Car                           Speed   Qual        Laps Laps Speed or 
Year Name                           Rank  Speed  SP FP Comp  Led Reason Out
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 Manaras/Simu/Glenmark/MillerEads 26 225.404 24 32    9   -- Engine
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total: 1 Race                                             9

This Manteca, California native has built a solid reputation racing super modifieds. He won his first championship battle in 1980, when he won the Limited Modified Championship in the Super Modified Racing Association. A three-time Super Modified Racing Association champion (1985, 1991, 1992), he has left dozens of victories and track records in his wake. Many of those records were set at Madera. Durant has also competed in USAC's Super Modified Series as well, finishing eighth in point standings in 1985. Durant has also raced sprint cars on the Northern Auto Racing Club circuit in California for a few years (1988 - '89), competed in the USAC Silver Crown Series (1994) and has run midgets in Bay Cities Racing Association and USAC Western States Series (1995).

Born September 26, 1959, Durant had his first Indy experience in 1996. Starting in the 24th position, he ran nine laps before his engine failed and he spun out in the north end, finishing 32nd. In the IRL that year, he passed the driver's test in opening practice for the Dura Lube 200 at Phoenix. Front-end damage from a tangle at the starting line, sidelined him after only one lap.

Indy Racing League:

• Driving for A.J. Foyt Racing, started 33rd and moved to the 8th position at the 1997 Indianapolis 500 prior to a racing accident
• Qualified the #1 car for A.J. Foyt Racing at 209.149 mph with less than 15 minutes of track time (12 laps) in the car, 1997 Indianapolis 500
• Qualified the oldest car in the field for the 1996 Indianapolis 500, a 1992 Lola/Buick, at over 225 mph
• Awarded the Citadel "Overachiever Award" at the 1996 Indianapolis 500
• Started 24th and moved to 18th in ten laps at the 1996 Indianapolis 500 prior to engine failure
• Passed Rookie Orientation at Indianapolis Motor speedway in May, 1996
• Passed short track rookie orientation in Indy Racing League at Phoenix International Raceway, March 1996

Racing Experience:

• 18 years of successful racing experience, "the pavement expert," primarily in the Super Modified Division
• 3-time Champion of the Super Modified Racing Association
• Limited Modified Champion
• 31 Main Event Wins in Super Modified Racing Competition
• Winner of the prestigious 1986 Copper World Classic Super Modified Division
• 1st Super Modified ever to break 150 mph average at Phoenix International Raceway
  (equivalent to CART qualifying time for Phoenix International Raceway)
• Current Track Record Holder, Mesa Marin Raceway (Super Modifieds)
• Current Track Record Holder, Mesa Marin Raceway (Silver Crown)
• Current Track Record Holder, Altamont Speedway (Super Modifieds)