IRL/IROC: Cheever's Texas Two Step, Texas and Michigan

9 June 1999

Fort Worth, Texas - Eddie Cheever, Jr., along with Kenny Brack, will be performing double duty this weekend when the former and the reigning Indy 500 champions race Friday afternoon at Michigan Speedway in Round Three of the International Race of Champions and then return to Texas Motor Speedway in time for the Pep Boys Indy Racing League's Longhorn 500 Saturday evening event.

"It'll be a crazy weekend, but coming off the "Month of May", I have definitely built up my stamina," joked Cheever. "I'm looking forward to Michigan because it'll be the first time in the series that drafts will be less of a factor...that should give us IROC "rookies" a better chance."

"Ironically, however, at the Indy Texas race, being able to work in tows will be extremely important," continued Cheever, who is currently ranked fourth in the IRL standings. "Drafting and pit strategy are going to play a major part to anyone's success here."

With the Indy 500 in the recent past, Team Cheever is focused on its second major goal of the year: to win the Championship. Having won the season opener at Walt Disney World Speedway, Cheever has driven his #51 Team Cheever/The Children's Beverage Group Dallara from the back of the pack to the lead position in the past three races, only to have his luck run out before the checkered flag dropped. Cheever is hoping that Texas' 1.5-mile oval will be the turn of events needed to bring him back to the winner's circle.

"Our chances for victory are very strong. We have proven our salt at every race this year and, now with Indy out of the way, are completely focused on the Championship," remarked the driver/owner of his season to date. "The new 10,000 rev rule should make all the engines more reliable so you'll see less attrition during the race...which will make for an even more exciting Indy Racing League event."

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.