The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

USAC/IRL: Cold weather postpones test for USAC stars till 2000

22 December 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
FORT WORTH, Texas - Cold weather at Texas Motor Speedway will force three USAC short-track standouts to wait until 2000 for their chance to take the Indy Racing League rookie test with Panther Racing.

Strong winds and temperatures in the 30s prevented 1999 Stoops Freightliner Sprint Car Series champion Dave Darland, 1999 Coors Light Silver Bullet Series runner-up Russ Gamester and 1999 MCI WorldCom National Midget Car Series third-place finisher Jerry Coons Jr. from any testing on the 1.5-mile oval.

The tests will be rescheduled at a later date.

All three participants were supposed to attempt to complete the four-phase test in the Pennzoil Panther G Force-Aurora car normally used by regular Panther driver Scott Goodyear. This is the second consecutive year that Pennzoil and Panther have provided Indy Racing rookie tests to a top driver in each of the three major USAC short-track series.

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.