Stewart Jinx Continues...
Billy Boat Sails To Victory In Texas
FORT WORTH, Texas: With three laps remaining in the inaugural True Value 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, Tony Stewart was leading and pulling away from the field. With two laps to go, his hopes of getting the team's first Indy Racing League victory went up in smoke, literally. Stewart's Glidden/Menard's/Aurora spewed a white plume of smoke and went spinning wildly into the turn one wall. Billy Boat, running a strong second place, was about to become the sixth different driver this season to taste an IRL victory. Boat took the yellow and checkered flags for car owner A.J. Foyt in the Conseco/Aurora.
A teary eyed Boat said, "To finish first, you've got to finish. I wanted to drop it down a gear and chase Tony down, but A.J. said you're doing fine...just keep it there. Well, here we are".
Billy Boat
Boat made a mistake on his qualifying run earlier this week. He started from the 23rd position as a result of that miscue. Boat said "I told the crew I would make it up to them.". He did. Boat, and the car named "Christine", had a flawless night. The Foyt team had an ever better night. Davey Hamilton, also driving for Foyt in the Power Team car, finished second. Hamilton is now the series point leader.
The finish was exciting, but it pales in comparison to the late race battle between Buddy Lazier and Tony Stewart. Stewart had went a lap down to Lazier. The two speed masters battled side by side for three straight laps, bringing the 128,000 fans to their feet. After the battle had settled, with Stewart grabbing his lap back, Lazier entered the pits. His Aurora engine had expired. Lazier dominated the middle stages of the race.
The fastest car on the track at the end of the race was Arie Luyendyk. The Indy 500 winner un- lapped himself by passing Stewart with 16 laps remaining. Luyendyk pulled away and finished third on the lead lap.
Jim Guthrie chilled the crowd as his right rear tire explode crossing the start/finish line midway through the race. The Phoenix winner was leading at the time. The "pop" of the tire could be heard above the engines. Guthrie spun the Jacuzzi car down the straight and lightly hit the wall. He was uninjured.
Sam Schmidt lost control while he was trying to avoid a spinning Allen May. Both cars ended up in the wall. The drivers were not hurt. Scott Goodyear and Tyce Carlson had contact on a restart. Both cars pitted and continued in the race.
The show was "Texas Style" from start to finish. The big production included the green flag being delivered by helicopter, a balloon spectacle, and marching horses. The on track show was unique. The racing machines spit fire into the Texas night. The stadium lights reflected off the blurring cars. The IRL has found a winner in this night time racing gig.
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