---

IRL, Indy 500: Team Cheever Practice Notes

19 May 1999

Inclement weather shortened practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway by four hours. Reigning Indy 500 winner, Eddie Cheever had the sixth fastest time of the day at a 222.999 mph running the 2.5-mile course in 40.369 seconds. Teammate and rookie Wim Eyckmans was able to get in a short practice session and ran a time of 41.341 seconds at a speed of 217.702 mph, making him the third fastest rookie of the day.

To follow up yesterday's personal notes, Team Manager Richard Caron and his wife, Brenda, gave birth to a 8 pound 1 ounce baby daughter, MacKenzie Le, at 927pm yesterday evening.

Eddie Cheever, Jr.

"We did some more work on the engine today. We found a few things, but really we are down to the bits and pieces now. The Infiniti is running very strong and the chassis is also running well. We worked primarily on race set-up today."

Wim Eyckmans

"It was short, I only did 20 laps. But it was like driving in another car. The Oldsmobile engine was great, and the new set-up transfigured the car. I feel very good about getting more time in tomorrow."

Editors Note: For hundreds of hot racing photos and racing art, be sure to visit The Racing ImageGalleries and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.