INDY RACING: Robbie Buhl Takes Infiniti Third Fastest in Practice at Gateway
Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
August 25, 2001Madison, Ill. (Aug. 24, 2001) -- Morning storms delayed practice for the Indy Racing League's inaugural visit to Gateway International Raceway, located near St. Louis, but when the track finally went green Robbie Buhl produced the third fastest lap of the day in his Infiniti-powered machine.
Buhl's best lap. in the No. 24 Team Purex Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Infiniti, was 167.509 mph, while Eddie Cheever Jr., in the No. 51 Cheever Indy Racing Infiniti, was sixth fastest with a 166.730 mph lap.
MBNA Pole Qualifying will be televised on ESPN2 at midnight (EDT) Aug. 25. The Gateway Indy 250 will be broadcast live on ESPN at 3 p.m. (EDT) Sunday, Aug. 26, and "Indy Racing 2Day" will be televised live at 11 a.m. (EDT) on ESPN2.
QUOTES
Robbie Buhl, No. 24 Team Purex Dreyer & Reinbold Racing GForce-Infiniti: "It's good that we got at least a half-hour of practice in today with the rain. We tested here a week ago for a couple of hours. It is a really fun track to drive. It's very challenging. It's different from the mile-and-a-half tracks and mile tracks we run at. It is unique from that standpoint. The premium at this track is going to be handling. With this temperature, the midday heat is going to be interesting in terms of trying to keep the car underneath you. I am happy with the car. The Infiniti crew is working hard, and everything is good there. With Purex having a plant up the street, we are going to have a lot of people in the grandstands, so we better be good."
Eddie Cheever Jr., No. 51 Cheever Indy Racing Infiniti: "We've made some improvements on our car since we tested here a month ago but it is still uncomfortable in Turns 3 and 4. Once we get that right, we'll be okay. (On car set-up at Gateway International Raceway:)You want to balance the car with the least amount of downforce in order to be quick on the very long straightaways, and the key is going to be carrying as much speed as you can - without losing your balance - into Turn 1. That's going to be our biggest challenge. During the race, the question will be whether you can outbrake somebody on the inside, carry the car in deeper, and just focus on the pass because inevitably the corner will be finished. You have to just shuffle through and hope not to collect the other driver or car."
Text provided by Heather Handley
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