UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 24, 2004 CHAMPIONSHIP AUTO RACING TEAMS, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 1-13925 38-3389456 (State or other (Commission (IRS Employer jurisdiction of File Number) Identification No.) incorporation) 5350 Lakeview Parkway South Dr. Indianapolis, IN 46268 (Address of principal executive offices, with zip code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (317) 715-4100 -1- ITEM 8.01 OTHER EVENTS AND ITEM 7.01 REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE On August 24, 2004, Championship Auto Racing Teams, Inc. issued a press release announcing that it has filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 as well as its 10-Q for the three-month period ended March 31, 2004. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS The following exhibits are incorporated by reference as part of this Report: Exhibit Description --------- ----------- 99.1 Press release dated August 24, 2004 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized on this 24th day of August, 2004. CHAMPIONSHIP AUTO RACING TEAMS, INC. By: /s/ Thomas L. Carter -------------------- Thomas L. Carter Chief Financial Officer -2-