Northern Light IRL: Cheever third fastest in Richmond practice sessions

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

June 29, 2001

Eddie Cheever Jr. - #51 Cheever Indy Racing Infiniti
Indy Racing Northern Light Series - Round 7 of 13
Richmond International Raceway - June 28-30, 2001
SunTrust Indy Challenge - Thursday Practice Notes and Quotes

Practice 1: 3rd 158.144 mph 17.0730 seconds
Practice 2: 3rd 160.805 mph 16.7905 seconds

Richmond, VA - Eddie Cheever Jr. ran solidly in the top three during the first day of practice for Saturday's seventh round of Indy Racing Northern Light Series competition, the SunTrust Indy Challenge at Richmond International Raceway. Cheever, the 1998 Indianapolis 500 Champion, toured the tight, 0.75-mile track at 160.805 mph (16.7905 seconds) in his #51 Cheever Indy Racing Infiniti.

Eddie Cheever Jr. (on Richmond International Raceway): "The Richmond track is like nothing we've ever raced at before. It's very short, very busy, and the traffic is intense. It's incredibly demanding both physically and mentally. Everyone is a rookie here, and it's going to be a very difficult race for the engineers. Richmond is a new proving ground for everyone."

On Thursday's practice: "The engine we tested with here in April was a different spec than this one. This one has more bottom end and I'm happier coming off the corners. At the end of the second session we ran with full tanks to get a head start on Saturday. Overall, it was a pretty good day."

Associate sponsors of Cheever Indy Racing include Infiniti, Firestone, Menards, Bosch, True Grit, and Eviciti.

Text provided by Ashleigh Higgins

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