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NorthernLight IRL: Quotes from final day of open test at Kentucky Speedway

3 July 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

SPARTA, Ky.- Quotes from Indy Racing Northern Light Series drivers and team officials from the final day of the Open Test at the new Kentucky Speedway in preparation for The Belterra Resort Indy 300 on Aug. 27.

SARAH FISHER (#15 Walker Racing Cummins Special Dallara/Oldsmobile/Firestone): "It was a pretty good day for us. Its neat to see that we were quickest again today. It gives the team a little boost in morale, so its good to see that were on top. I think that the track is so big that the shortest way around is the fastest. And thats what Im trying to accomplish. But also, at the same time, you cant bind up the car." (About the Indy Racing pole speed): "I think the pole speed will be around 219 to 220. Were not really heavy hitting on qualifying laps yet. We havent trimmed the car out to the best that it can be." (About practicing pit stops): "We did about eight or nine pit stops. The reason being is the last race I stalled it coming out of one. Its good. Its good for the guys as well as me. Never really having done pit stops before this year, its good to keep doing them and practicing because really the only practice you get is during a race. So its a good thing to go out there and do some hot pit stops." (About her duties during a pit stop): "Just keeping the revs up and making sure the motor doesnt drop down off of the rpm band. Also, I focus on what the other guys are doing, that way I dont pull out if theres a problem or something. But other than that, its really easy. Youve got to reset your fuel and go on."

EDDIE CHEEVER JR. (#51 Excite@Home Indy Race Car Dallara/Infiniti/Firestone): "This was the first time we ran here. A lot of people have been here for two or three days. Were trying to figure it out. I was trying different lines. Its a nice track. Its different than any of the mile-and-a-half mile ovals that we go to. Atlanta and Texas are pretty similar as much as its mostly drafting and a strategic race. But here, Turns 3 and 4 are pretty tough at the end of a long run to be able to take the right line. This track is halfway between Texas and Las Vegas. I thing the racing will be a little more aggressive than Las Vegas. You might see some two lanes going into (Turns) 1 and 2. If you see two lanes going into (Turns) 3 and 4, I will not be the one on the top because I think theres a law of diminishing returns up there. The car slides up."

DICK CARON (Team manager, #51 Excite@Home Indy Race Car Dallara/Infiniti/Firestone): "Were trying to get a handle on everything. We just came from Atlanta, where we had a private test on Friday. Were just trying a lot of things. I really like this track. Its very conducive to racing. Its a little different than most tracks we race on with the way the car rolls in the banking."

ALEX BARRON (#4 Pennzoil Panther Dallara/Oldsmobile/Firestone): "Todays testing went very well, both for myself and Panther. We learned more about the cars aerodynamics on this track and how to make it run faster on the straightaways and at every turn. I knew going into this weekend Id be working with a good team. So, todays testing reaffirmed that. The #4 Pennzoil Panther Dallara is a great car, and the Panther Pack is a great crew. My focus these days is on finding a full-time ride for the 2001 season. Judging from just the past few weeks, I feel I would be driving for a solid, consistent and successful team at Panther Racing if given the opportunity to work for them in 2001."

JOHN BARNES (Team co-owner/manager, #4 Pennzoil Panther Dallara Dallara/Oldsmobile/Firestone): "Im very impressed with the talent (Sam) Hornish and (Alex) Barron have displayed on the track. Both drivers are consistent and have talents that would be welcomed and appreciated by Panther Racing. I will be meeting with the Pennzoil Panther engineers in the coming days to see what their opinions are of the test drivers. From there, Ill take into account what they say and share those comments with the other co-owners. Were still planning on testing six to eight drivers in the next few months. And we have not set a time to make a decision on who will drive for us in the 2001 Indy Racing Northern Light Series."

J.J. YELEY (#30 WorldBestBuy.com/Jonathan Byrds Cafeteria Riley & Scott/Oldsmobile/Firestone): "We ended up breaking an engine. It had quite a few of miles on it. It was unexpected because we thought it still had some left in it, but we got everything we wanted from the test. We tried some different body pieces and fortunately got enough accomplished before the incident, so we didnt have to try and change engines. Were still on a positive side going into Atlanta."

TYCE CARLSON (#20 Hubbard Racing Dallara Dallara/Oldsmobile/Firestone): "The test went very well. We ran a 24.9 early on and then we threw a bunch of different stuff at the car, which was what we planned to do. We changed springs and ride heights a lot just to see what it would do -- to see what the track liked -- whether it liked drag or not and how much or little downforce it liked. The track was a bit slick there for a couple of laps after the stock cars ran, but it didnt take long for conditions to get back to where the car was comfortable. Well go back and compile our notes to make a good race car, then come back here to test one more time for a couple of days before the race. So, I think were going to be pretty competitive on race weekend."

GREG BECK (Chief Engineer, #20 Hubbard Racing Dallara Dallara/Oldsmobile/Firestone): "The track is a very nice facility. Its very, very friendly to the racers, and I think to the fans, too. The track is incredibly smooth. There are a few bumps, but they really dont affect our cars that much. We have an unusual amount of grip here that were battling to try and gain speed. We actually have too much grip, and thats our biggest challenge at this point. Overall, though, its a great facility for Indy-car racing, and Im sure its going to be a terrific show on Race Day."

BUZZ CALKINS (#12 Bradley Food Marts/Sav-O-Mat Dallara/Oldsmobile/Firestone): "Today was a better day for us. We tried a few things and got a fair amount of laps in, so were happy. We ran both cars today. The backup car felt a little more solid, but it was a very small difference. Were looking forward to coming back, but we still need to find a little more speed for race weekend."

MIKE COLLIER (Team manager, #12 Bradley Food Marts/Sav-O-Mat Dallara/Oldsmobile/Firestone): "We had a great time. We ran our primary on Thursday and set a baseline to work with. We ran the backup car yesterday but had a fuel problem. We spent most of yesterday working out that problem. Today, we ran a different suspension, so now were going to go home and evaluate the data. We could have been a tad quicker, but our times are always on our own. We avoid getting tows from other drivers. Were not into turning a PR lap because when you go out and qualify, youre by yourself." (About Kentucky Speedway): "Its a great facility. We seem to enjoy it every time we come to Winston Cup territory. The Kentucky Speedway staff is really helpful. All the way from management to the security guards." (About future plans): "Were going to head back to Denver and prep the cars. Were taking off for the holidays because they deserve a break. After that, well head to Atlanta for the next race."

BRIAN BARNHART (Director of racing operations, Indy Racing League): "This is a first-class facility. After all the laps we ran the past two days, we have no issues or concerns. The track is very wide and will produce two- and three-car-wide racing. Firestone has a good handle on its tire compound here. Many teams put 70 to 80 laps on a set of tires. In fact, Sarah (Fisher) ran a 216 on tires with 65 laps under them. Alex (Barron) and Sam (Hornish) both had excellent days with Panther Racing. And Sarah had a fantastic test."

Text provided by Paul Kelly

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