IROC Pit Notes, Daytona International Speedway

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Daytona Beach, FL - Indy Racing Northern Light Series representative Mark Dismore came back for a second day of practice in the Pontiac Firebirds and was joined by NASCAR Winston Cup driver Tony Stewart. Stewart will replace CART FedEx Series driver Gil de Ferran in the opening race at Daytona due to injuries sustained in recent Champ car testing sessions.

Stewart, the 1997 Indy Racing League Champions, coupled with True Value IROC test driver Andy Hillenburg's Indy car experience affords Mark Dismore exceptional tutoring in the ever continuing learning curve of driving stock cars. "Today he looked better out there than ever, " said Andy Hillenburg. "He was compensating for what we were doing and closing in so he wouldn't loose the draft, he really looked the best I've seen him in these cars." Dismore agreed indicating that the moves were intentional and felt he was getting a better understanding of how to get in the right places when the other drivers start making their moves.

"The True Value IROC cars may not be anything like an open wheel car, but they are far from being the same as a Winston Cup car. And, yes, it is familiar territory for the stock car drivers, but our cars react and respond differently, and that takes getting used to by the NASCAR drivers as well," said IROC President, Jay Signore.

Stewart said, "The cars are even better than last year and that was plenty of fun so, this is sure to be a blast. I'm just really happy to get a chance to run in this thing, it's just great racing."

Dave Marcis, Jim Sauter and Dick Trickle were hopping from race car to race car for a final speed run. Speed runs are when the test drivers take each race car out on the race track, one by one, similar to a qualifying lap. Each car will make four timed laps, after which, all the times and driver comments are compared to see how close each car is in speed and handling.

"Today's speed run proved very successful, " said IROC Chairman, Les Richter. "The cars look to be as close in speed as they have ever been. I wouldn't be surprised if this was the tightest field ever."

True Value IROC practice will resume on Monday, February 12 at 8:30 a.m. and again at 4:20 p.m.

CART FedEx driver Kenny Brack will return for Monday's session and be joined by Northern Light drivers, Mark Dismore and Eddie Cheever, Jr. Winston Cup drivers, Dale Earnhardt, Bobby Labonte, Dale Jarrett, and Ricky Rudd may practice, as well as Busch Champion, Jeff Green and Winston Cup drivers, Jeff Burton and Tony Stewart. Green, Burton, and Stewart have already logged laps in True Value IROC practice sessions. Northern Light Champion Buddy Lazier and fellow competitor, Scott Goodyear are expected later in the week.

The 2001 True Value IROC Drivers

NAME: REPRESENTING:

• Kenny Brack CART FedEx Championship Series
• Jeff Burton NASCAR Winston Cup Series
• Eddie Cheever, Jr. Indy Racing Northern Light Series
• Mark Dismore Indy Racing Northern Light Series
• Dale Earnhardt NASCAR Winston Cup Series
• Scott Goodyear Indy Racing Northern Light Series
• Jeff Green NASCAR Busch Series
• Dale Jarrett NASCAR Winston Cup Series
• Bobby Labonte NASCAR Winston Cup Series
• Buddy Lazier Indy Racing Northern Light Series
• Ricky Rudd NASCAR Winston Cup Series
• Tony Stewart NASCAR Winston Cup Series

Text Provided By George Signore

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