Papis to Succeed Rahal, Racing Team Co-Owner Says

Max Papis is leaving his CART FedEx Championship Series team to become Bobby Rahal’s successor next year, the co-owner of Papis’ current team said Tuesday.

Papis, who had an option for two more years in his contract with Arciero-Wells Racing based in Rancho Santa Margarita, recently had agreed to return next season.

“I had no idea Max was going to leave,” said Arciero-Wells co-owner Cal Wells III. “We had an agreement, we shook each other’s hand. But people get opportunities, and he’s going to have a chance to drive the No. 7 [Rahal’s] car.

“I’d like to see him win a lot of races. We thought he was the right choice to come to this series.”

Rahal, a three-time series champion, could not be reached for comment. Team Rahal spokesman Scott Reisz said, “We have not signed a driver to replace Bobby at this point.”

Papis said, “I have a pretty good idea where I’m going,” but wouldn’t confirm joining Team Rahal.

“Next week we’ll know exactly what’s happening,” Papis said. “I think it will be something very good--that’s all I can tell you. It will be a very good surprise.”

Rahal, 45, who races a Reynard/Ford, is eighth in the series with five races remaining. He is a three-time series champion. Papis, 28, completing his second full season, is 20th.

Papis, who lives in Newport Beach, had seven top-15 finishes in 14 races this season. In Cleveland, Papis was even the provisional pole-sitter. He has twice finished as high as 11th this season, with a career-high of eighth last year at the U.S. 500.

“I don’t know what we’re going to do,” Wells said. “It was a real gut punch. Frankly, I’m unprepared. I had the two guys I wanted [Papis and newly hired Scott Pruett].”

Pruett, now driving for Patrick Racing, was hired by Wells to replace Orange’s Robby Gordon. Gordon declined his option to drive next season so he could pursue other opportunities, such as the one at Team Rahal, which is owned by Rahal and David Letterman.

“You can’t say this job isn’t challenging,” Wells said. “Max contributed beyond my expectations. Replacing Jeff [Krosnoff, who was killed in a 1996 racing accident] was a tough deal, and we thought Max was the right guy.

“He will be sorely missed, because he contributed so much and we like him so much, and he’s a damn good driver.”