INDY 500: Cheever third fastest heading into pole qualifying at Indianapolis

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

May 12, 2001

Indianapolis, IN (May 11, 2001) - Eddie Cheever Jr. posted his fastest practice lap of the week during the final on-track session before Saturday's pole qualifying for the 85th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 27. The #51 Excite@Home driver recorded a top speed of 223.981 mph (40.1820 seconds) in his Infiniti-powered Excite@Home entry.

Eddie Cheever Jr: #51 Excite@Home Indy Race Car
Position: 3rd Speed: 223.981 mph Time: 40.1820 seconds

Cheever (on Friday's preparation for qualifying): "We got lost two days ago with some wrong settings, but we made some progress on the #51 Excite@Home car today. I'm not so sure we can get the pole - I think that is between Menards and the Kelley drivers - but I think that the front row is definitely possible. With some new Firestones and a couple of other changes, we'll be okay. All I'm looking for is a car that can do four laps relatively easily. I don't want to be holding my breath. I don't know what the pole speed is going to be, but I think you'll have to be above 220 mph to avoid being on the bubble."

Text provided by Ashleigh Higgins

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