IRL: Texas Motor Speedway to put technology on high banks
1 October 1999
Posted By Terry
Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
INDIANAPOLIS - A unique event featuring the relationship
between motorsports and high technology will take place at Texas Motor
Speedway during the Mall.com 500 weekend Oct. 16-17.Representatives from more than 100 high-tech businesses will participate in the "Technology on the High Banks" weekend at TMS. Company reps will have the chance to interact with Pep Boys Indy Racing League teams and one another to discuss current and potential roles of technology in racing.
Computer Associates, one of the worlds largest software companies, will be the primary sponsor. Sprint PCS and Barnhart Motorsports Marketing will also sponsor the two-day event. Computer Associates is an associate sponsor of the West McLaren-Mercedes team in Formula One.
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The math: Six drivers remain mathematically eligible to win the Pep Boys Million as series champion at the season-ending Mall.com 500 on Oct. 17 at Texas Motor Speedway: Greg Ray (255 points), Kenny Brack (242), Sam Schmidt (225), Scott Sharp (209), Scott Goodyear (207) and Buddy Lazier (204). A driver can score a maximum of 55 points at one event.
Of the six drivers eligible, heres their average finish this season in the three previous events on 1.5-mile tracks. The season finale will be contested on the 1.5-mile oval at Texas:
Ray: 15.3
Brack: 6.0
Schmidt: 8.7 (one victory)
Sharp: 3.0 (one victory)
Goodyear: 14 (one victory)
Lazier: 15.3
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Truckin: Sam Schmidt wasnt the only happy winner Sept. 26 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Schmidts first Pep Boys Indy Racing League victory also enabled Wendy Shumate of Las Vegas to win a new Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck as part of a promotion between KWNR-FM, Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Fletcher Jones Chevrolet of Las Vegas.
Twenty-six fans who entered the contest were selected to participate in a random drawing. Each fan was paired with one of the drivers in the starting lineup of the Vegas.com 500.
Shumate was paired with Schmidt.
"It was the first race Ive been to, and it was great," Shumate said. "The truck is awesome."
The truck is valued at more than $30,000. The trucks modifications include a Xenon Corporation ground F/X kit, a Bell Tech lowering system, a Snug Top bed cover, Centerline Wheels and custom paint and graphics.
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Hot laps: A lucky winner and a guest will attend the Mall.com 500 on Oct. 17 at Texas Motor Speedway courtesy of CertainTeed, primary sponsor of rookie Scott Harrington, and J&L Building Materials in Frazer, Pa. Harrington will pick the winner in a random drawing Oct. 4 at J&L Building Materials, where Harringtons CertainTeed Building Products Special Dallara/Aurora/Firestone will be on display. The winner will receive tickets, pit passes, airline tickets and hotel accommodations.
Editors Note: For hundreds of hot racing photos and racing art, be sure to visit The Racing ImageGalleries and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.