NorthernLight IRL: Infiniti Indy Practice -- Casino Magic 500
9 June 2000
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
FORT WORTH, Tex.-- Qualifying for the Casino Magic 500 was postponed until Friday to give Indy Racing League officials a chance to research the cause of two similar accidents which occurred during the short practice session held today for the Indy Racing Northern Light Series at Texas Motor Speedway. Davey Hamilton and Jimmy Kite (who both use a G Force chassis) suffered from broken parts which sent their cars spinning in turn four, where many drivers have reported a new bump on the track surface.
During their practice session, which was shortened to 15 minutes because of an accident, Infiniti drivers Eddie Cheever Jr. and Robbie Buhl ran less than 20 laps each. Cheever was eighth fastest with a 208.627 mph lap, while Buhl was 17th fastest with a 200.605 mph lap.
The updated schedule for tomorrow is practice from 10 to 12:30 p.m., MBNA Pole Qualifications from 1:15 to 2:30 p.m., and final practice from 4:45 to 5:15 p.m.
QUOTES
Eddie Cheever Jr., No. 51 Excite@Home Dallara-Infiniti: "It was a very short session, but the No. 51 Excite@Home car runs well over the bumps. All we have to do now is take drag out of the car. The character of the track has changed since last year, and it has a whole bunch of new nuances to it. The track is a lot bumpier than it was before, but it's nothing to worry or panic about. I don't run a G Force, so I don't really have a problem. The bump is not worse than the bump at Charlotte. It's just part of the track. Still, if there's something wrong with the G Force, then they should stop and fix it. It's just a real pity for the public."
Robbie Buhl, No. 24 Team Purex/Dreyer & Reinbold Racing G Force-Infiniti: "If it has to do with safety, that's first and foremost. When it's right, we'll get out there."
PRACTICE HIGHLIGHTS
1. Scott Sharp, No. 8 Dallara-Oldsmobile, 210.921
2. Greg Ray, No. 1 Dallara-Oldsmobile, 210.776
3. Mark Dismore, No. 28 Dallara-Oldsmobile, 210.683
4. Scott Goodyear, No. 4 Dallara-Oldsmobile, 209.974
5. Eliseo Salazar, No. 11 G Force-Oldsmobile, 209.052
* 8. Eddie Cheever Jr., No. 51 Dallara-Infiniti, 208.627
* 17. Robbie Buhl, No. 24 G Force-Infiniti, 200.605
Text provided by Heather Handley
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