Sunday Drive in the Park; Cristiano da Matta wins at Mexico in the first race of new CART era.

Mexico rocks, at least when it comes to auto races. As an event, the second-year Tecate-Telmex Grand Prix de Monterrey had the feel of something more established, with a crowd that appropriately blended knowledge and passion with a burning desire to have a good time. The track at Parque Fundidora in the center of Monterrey isn't bad, either. Drivers like the layout, which is more genuine road course than street circuit, with plenty of run-off space in most corners. The problem is, the track is used only once a year. It's smooth and dusty, and even when it's rubbered-in with two days of practice and qualifying, the racing line offers marginal grip.

CART the ...