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INDY 500: Scott Goodyear qualifies for 11th Indy 500 with 222 mph average

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

May 13, 2001

Indianapolis, IN (May 12, 2001) - #52 Thermos® Grill2Go™ driver Scott Goodyear qualified for his eleventh Indianapolis 500 Saturday with a four-lap average speed of 222.529 mph. The two-time Indianapolis 500 runner-up, who waved off his first qualifying attempt after encountering electrical problems on his first green lap, will aim for his first Indy 500 win when the 85th running of the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing" takes place on May 27.

Scott Goodyear: #52 Thermos® Grill2Go™ Cheever Indy Racing Infiniti

Qualified: 16th Speed: 222.529 mph

Goodyear (on qualifying): "We thought we'd get the #52 Thermos® Grill2Go™ car up into the 223s, but when it gets to be 5:00pm, it's just nice to be in there. Indy is so special. It's funny - no matter how many times you've been here, it feels great to be qualified. Having to wait all day was a bit more than we anticipated, but we waved off our first attempt because of some electrical problems. It was nothing mechanically wrong with our Infiniti engine - it was just some auxiliary things - so the guys thought it would be best just to change the motor before our second attempt.

We've had an eventful couple of days, with a lot of weird things going on, but my crew chief Dane Harte and the guys on the #52 Thermos® Grill2Go™ blew the whole car apart and sorted out the problems. The #52 Thermos® Grill2Go™ car is very good in traffic, so I think we are looking very good for the race. I always say there are three races at Indy: one to get qualified, one to get to 450 miles, and one for the last 50 miles of the race. I've been pretty fortunate at Indy. When I've been around for the last 50 miles, I've usually been around for the finish, although sometimes amidst controversy!"

Text provided by Ashleigh Higgins

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