Northern Light IRL: Casino Magic 500 Practice Notes and Quotes
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
June 9, 2001
GREG RAY (#2 Johns Manville/Menards Dallara/Oldsmobile/Firestone): "I think we've made some improvements, but there are still a lot of things we need to change. We're OK on speed, but we're not really happy with the car. We've got a lot more changes to make."
SCOTT SHARP (#8 Delphi Automotive Systems Dallara/Oldsmobile/Firestone): "We made some great progress that session. We've been trying to get that continuous balance to last with the car, and we finally got that. We're good in the draft and high or low in the groove. The biggest curveball in all of this is these won't be the conditions during the race so everybody will have to make adjustments accordingly."
ELISEO SALAZAR (#14 Harrah's A.J. Foyt Racing Dallara/Oldsmobile/Firestone): "Before this full-tank session, I was pretty worried because we had maybe 15 laps on the track. But we managed to get it right because we did a 214 (mph) with full tanks. I feel very comfortable in the draft. The gear ratios are right on, and I think we have a really good chance to win."
MARK DISMORE (#28 Delphi Automotive Systems/Bryant Heating & Cooling Dallara/Oldsmobile/Firestone): "The car was real good. If it's that good tomorrow, we'll have a fantastic race. My only concern is being able to pass some of the slower cars. Some are two to three mph slower, and they're staying low because they can't go high. That means we're going to have to pass around the top, and for some reason that's a little tougher to do this year."
BRANDON ERWIN (#30 McCormack Motorsports/Team Calcium G Force/Oldsmobile/Firestone): "I had a miss in practice and now feel good about the car. I have been gaining every time out. The tires are worked in, and I feel good about tomorrow. I only have one engine. I don't want a lot of miles on it."
JEFF WARD (#35 Heritage Motorsports/Firestone/Menards G Force/Oldsmobile/Firestone): "The car felt really good today. We got the gears fixed for race day. So as long as everyone keeps a good pace tomorrow with long green runs, it will be a great race. The key to winning tomorrow is no mistakes."
EDDIE CHEEVER JR. (#51 Cheever Indy Racing Infiniti Dallara/Firestone): (About IROC): "I think I'll do well. I like to go to Michigan. The open-wheel guys used to go down there as a fodder for the NASCAR guys. Now it is kind of a free-for-all. It was kind of funny (last year) when I got out of the car. It was very quiet. I enjoy it. I think it is a lot of fun." (Which was better last year, the Casino Magic 500 or the Michigan IROC race?): I won that one (Michigan IROC). I didn't win this one (Casino Magic 500). You figure it out." (About tomorrow's Casino Magic 500): "I think if we finish, we will definitely run in the top four or five. It (Infiniti 35 A engine) is showing a strong adolescence. We had a failure in Atlanta and a bad month of May. It's a strong engine, but the hardest thing is reliability. The Ilmor engine has become the engine you have to beat in the IRL." (About Scott Goodyear being injured): "I really miss not having Scott (Goodyear) around. I hired a teammate and ended up acquiring a friend. I am taking more of an active role in testing."
BILLY ROE (#81 Zali Racing G Force/Oldsmobile/Firestone): "It's been one year this weekend. We missed all the practice and qualifying. We got out today, and we got to do a 210 (mph). We're working with a full fuel load. I feel good about the race. I think if we stay out of trouble, we might be able to get a top 10."
BUDDY LAZIER (#91 Tae-Bo/Coors Light/Delta Faucet Dallara/Oldsmobile/Firestone): "Running the IROC race makes this a pretty hectic weekend, but it is an honor to compete in that series. Talladega worked out pretty well for us, but Michigan is a flat track. I haven't really had any practice laps to speak of. On top of that, I am the only open-wheel rookie of the group. I'm looking forward to the race. It should be interesting."
Text provided by Paul Kelly
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