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IRL: No Place Like Home: Carlson Hits 225 MPH to Lead Final Day of Testing

15 April 1999

By Ron Green

INDIANAPOLIS- "Happy Hour" came early in April at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and no one was happier Tuesday at the end of the Indianapolis 500 Open Test than local driver Tyce Carlson.

Carlson, born and raised in Indianapolis, is a product of the USAC sprint car and midget divisions. On Tuesday, he drove the fastest lap of his life, 225.683 mph, late in the afternoon in the Blueprint-Immke Dallara/Aurora/Firestone. It was the second-fastest lap of the four-day test. Only well-funded Team Menard and driver Greg Ray lapped the 2.5-mile oval at IMS faster the past four days, with a 227.072 Monday.

"The car handled great," Carlson said. "It (the car) had a little bit of exit push, but I could drive right through that. In May, we'll work a little on the balance, but we're in good shape."

Practice for the Indianapolis 500 starts May 15. Pole Day is May 22, with Race Day May 30.

In 1996, Carlson successfully completed the Indianapolis 500 Rookie Orientation Program but did not qualify for the race. He made his first Indy 500 start in 1997, finishing 19th after starting 26th. Though he raced in four Pep Boys Indy Racing League events in 1998, he did not make the 500 field.

At Orlando in January, Carlson qualified ninth and finished 12th in the TransWorld Diversified Services Indy 200. At Phoenix in the MCI WorldCom 200 in March, Carlson charged from his ninth-place starting spot to challenge for the lead early in the race. But an accident ended his day prematurely.

"After the heartbreak at Phoenix, this really boost the spirit and energy of this team," Carlson said.

Ray recorded the next two fastest laps Tuesday in different cars. In his primary Glidden-Menards Dallara/Aurora/Firestone, Ray turned in a lap of 225.513 mph. Steering his backup car, Ray turned in a lap of 223.753. Rounding out the top five were Mark Dismore (223.453) and Eliseo Salazar (223.081).

Robbie Buhl brought at the yellow light during the morning test session. At 11:11 a.m., Buhl did a half-spin and hit the outside wall in Turn 1 with the left side of his car. Buhl was examined and released from the Clarian Medical Center without injury, said Dr. Henry Bock, director of medical services for the Pep Boys Indy Racing League.

TOP SPEEDS

Pos Car Driver Time Speed

1 20 Tyce Carlson 39.879 225.683
2 2 Greg Ray 39.909 225.513
3 2T Greg Ray 40.223 223.753
4 28T Mark Dismore 40.277 223.453
5 6 Eliseo Salazar 40.344 223.081
6 42T John Hollansworth (R) 40.395 222.800
7 21 Jeff Ward 40.396 222.794
8 8 Scott Sharp 40.447 222.513
9 4 Scott Goodyear 40.493 222.261
10 51 Eddie Cheever Jr. 40.542 221.992
11 91 Buddy Lazier 40.734 220.946
12 44 Robbie Buhl 41.109 218.930
13 3 Raul Boesel 41.214 218.372
14 50 Roberto Guerrero 41.371 217.544
15 33 Roberto Moreno 41.415 217.313
16 66T Scott Harrington (R) 41.857 215.018

Top Ten Speeds of Indianapolis 500 Open Test, April 10-13, 1999,

Pos. Car No. Driver Top Speed Chassis/Eng./Tire Date 

1 2 Greg Ray 227.072 D/A/F April 12
2 20 Tyce Carlson 225.683 D/A/F April 13
3 11 Billy Boat 224.456 D/A/G April 12
4 5 Arie Luyendyk 224.215 G/A/F April 12
5 2T Greg Ray 223.753 D/A/F April 13
6 8 Scott Sharp 223.547 D/A/G April 12
7 28 Mark Dismore 223.452 D/A/G April 13
8 51 Eddie Cheever Jr. 223.292 D/I/G April 12
9 99 Sam Schmidt 223.281 G/A/F April 12
10 6 Eliseo Salazar 223.081 G/A/F April 13

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