INDY 500: Boesel Goes for Three on Bump Day for Treadway Racing
22 May 2000
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
Indianapolis, IN: Brazilian driver Raul Boesel made it three for three today for the Treadway Racing team. After waiving off yesterday's qualifying attempt due to lack of power, Boesel came back today with a fresh engine and four lap average of 222.113 mph, which starts him 24th on the grid for Sunday's 84th running of the Indianapolis 500. It will be Boesel's 12th Indianapolis start in his impressive open-wheel career.
A cold day-Saturday's weather conditions were not ideal, and provided difficulties for the entire Treadway stable. Rookie Jason Leffler and last year's Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Robby McGehee were satisfied with their runs and were locked into 17th and 12th positions respectively at the end of Pole Day. Boesel came out and made some last minute changes to the car, but conditions weren't ideal and the crew made the decision to waive off the attempt in favor of running early on notorious "Bump Day."
After only a few practice laps today-it was apparent that the problem was solved and Boesel had plenty of what it took to make the show with the #55 Treadway Racing-Vertex/Cunningham Racing entry. The first qualifier of the day-Boesel's four lap average was also the best and awarded him the MBNA Fastest Bump Day Qualifier Award which includes a handsome check for $10,000.00.
"The balance on the Epson car was good today," he stated during the post qualifying press conference. "We had a new fresh engine and four great laps. We just started to put the car together on Monday and the crew worked all day and all night. I had never run the new 3.5 liter engine and I wasn't sure what was good or bad, but we had a good setup and I felt very comfortable in the car today. I ran the first lap with confidence and I think will be ready for the race.'
'This is a very special race, and I can tell my kids this is my 12th Indy 500. It is history to me and it means a lot. I have come close to winning this race several times, but it doesn't matter where you start. I have been leading the race and then gone back to 22nd. My main focus in starting from the back is to avoid any instances and make sure I am not in the wrong place at the wrong time by mistake. I have a good car that can fight for the lead, and my experience on this track will be very useful."
This will be Treadway Racing's first Indianapolis 500 with three entries since its inception in 1996. The team made history during the 1997 Indianapolis 500 by capturing the pole, second place and the victory in only the second year of competition in the Indy Racing Northern Light Series. Owned by Indianapolis entrepreneur Fred Treadway, the team hopes that "three's a charm" this year as they prepare to run for the coveted Borg-Warner Trophy next Sunday.
Text provided by Ruthie Culbertson
Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot photos
and racing art, please visit The Racing Image
Galleries and The
Visions of Speed Art Gallery .