Indy Racing League's Official Start

01/25/96

The Associated Press reported that the much disputed Indy Racing League will officially take to the track today. The first group practice sessions for the Indy 200 at Walt Disney World are scheduled to occur today, qualifications will be on Friday, and the Race starts Saturday afternoon.

Drivers scheduled to race on Saturday include Formula One drivers Eddie Cheever, Eliseo Salazar and Michele Alboreto; Indy pole winners Scott Brayton and Roberto Guerrero; and 1990 Indy winner Arie Luyendyk.

A number of up-and-coming rookies will also be driving. Buzz Calkins Davey Hamilton, Richie Hearn, Stan Wattles, and Tony Stewart will all vie for their first Indy-car start in Saturday's race.

The speeds at solo practices have surpassed the 180 MPH mark, and many of the rookie drivers are looking forward to see how things go in the group practices today.

The Indy Racing League was founded by Indianapolis Speedway president Tony George in response to what he saw as growing problems with the PPG Indy Car World Series. Chief among these problems was the fact that fewer races were being run on the traditional oval tracks. Saturday's Indy 200 will be the IRL's inaugural race. It will be broadcast live by ABC Sports.

Paul Dever --- The Auto Channel