IRL: Pikes Peak Preview
Luyendyk Is A Favorite....Again

Known as "The Flying Dutchman", Luyendyk has won thirty percent of the races he has entered in the IRL. He was also a winner in CART before the two series split at the end of the 1995 racing season. Luyendyk cashed checks for over $2.5 million while driving in the competitive CART series.

At the conclusion of this year's Indy 500, Luyendyk became the all time leading money winner in Indianapolis history, with over $5 million in Indy earnings alone. In addition to winning this year's race, Luyendyk cashed in on the $100,000 PPG Industries Pole Award. He surpassed four time winners Rick Mears, Al Unser Sr., and A.J. Foyt.

Arie Luyendyk receives another "big check".

These facts make Luyendyk a threat at any track. The next threat is Colorado. The series heads to the new one mile tri-oval at Pikes Peak International Speedway the next event. The race will be the inaugural running of the Samsonite 200, June 29, at 3:00 PM EDT.

Twenty-four drivers appear on the entry list for the new race in the mountains. The list includes home state favorite, Buzz Calkins. Calkins is the defending series co-champion. Calkins has had less than favorable results since the series changed chassis/engines in January. He is looking for some added boost from the local crowd.

Buddy Lazier, winner of the 1996 Indianapolis 500, and another "hometown" favorite will be racing in the familiar Delta Faucet/Hemelgarn Racing machine. Lazier thrilled fans at Texas Motor Speedway two weeks ago in a side by side battle with Tony Stewart that lasted for nearly three continuous laps. Tony Stewart will be driving the Glidden/Menards/Aurora. Stewart's teammate, Robbie Buhl, crashed in practice earlier in the week and may not run the event. Stewart, who has led every race, is still searching for his first IRL victory.

John Paul Jr. and Scott Sharp are expected to return to the driver's seat here in the scenic Rockies. Both drivers sustained injuries while practicing for this year's Indy 500.

There are seven rookies listed, including Greg Ray. The Texan has been very fast in his last two outings and is looking to break through with a surprise victory much like Jim Guthrie did in Phoenix this year.

The race will be the first without the presence of USAC. The sanctioning body for all races since the IRL was founded, USAC was told this week the IRL would take over the sanctioning functions for all future IRL events. The change was already in the works, but the schedule was accelerated after embarrassing timing and scoring mistakes at the last two IRL events. This new sanctioning function is a major task in a short time. Expect to see many of the same USAC officials dressed in new IRL uniforms.

The race weekend will also include the U.S. Formula Ford 2000 series and the STAR Formula Mazda Series.

Terry Callahan — The Auto Channel