INDY 500: Infiniti Drivers Continue Fine Tuning Race Setups at Indy 500 Practice
Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
May 20, 2001Indianapolis, Ind. (May 19, 2001) -- While several drivers focused on speed in preparation for tomorrow's final qualifications day, Infiniti's three drivers -- who have already qualified for the race -- focused on race setups during Indianapolis 500 practice on May 19.
Scott Goodyear was the fastest Infiniti of the day with the seventh fastest speed at 220.183 mph in the No. 52 Thermos Grill2Go Infiniti. Eddie Cheever Jr. recorded the most number of miles of the day, driving 115 laps in the No. 51 Excite@Home Infiniti. Cheever was 12th fastest with a 218.688 mph lap. In the No. 24 Team Purex Dreyer & Reinbold Infiniti, Robbie Buhl was 18th fastest with a 217.893 mph lap.
All three Infiniti drivers have qualified for the Indianapolis 500. Robbie Buhl is ninth on the provisional starting grid in the No. 24 Team Purex Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Infiniti, while Scott Goodyear is 16th in the No. 52 Thermos Grill2Go Infiniti. Eddie Cheever Jr. is currently 30th in the No. 51 Excite@Home Infiniti.
Practice continues on May 20 from 11 to 12:15 p.m. and bump day qualifying takes place from 1 to 7 p.m. The final practice session prior to the Indianapolis 500 is May 24, Carburetion Day, from 12 to 2 p.m. (all times EDT).
QUOTES
Scott Goodyear, No. 52 Thermos Grill2Go Cheever Indy Racing Dallara-Infiniti: "It was a good day. We ran with fuel all day and made changes that were definitely better. We improved a fair amount with full fuel loads. My team is finished until carb day. We should be in good shape for the race. We plan to be there at the end."
Eddie Cheever Jr., No. 51 Excite@Home Dallara-Infiniti: "We worked on race balance all day and feel we have a very good car for race day. We may take the T car out tomorrow and work on a few other things. I'm much happier with our race balance than I was with qualifying. We covered more than a race distance with this engine. I'm just glad we don't have to qualify tomorrow!"
Robbie Buhl, No. 24 Team Purex/Dreyer & Reinbold Racing G Force-Infiniti: "We actually had a really good day today. We got a lot done. We went out with our race car this morning on full tanks and worked on race stuff. We are very happy with the Team Purex Dreyer & Reinbold Racing car. This afternoon we went out in our T-car and really just shook that down, and did in-and-outs with it to work on our pit stops and the pit lane speed limiter. We wanted to log some miles today for reliability and durability, so the we and the Infiniti guys feel comfortable as we get closer to the race. I feel pretty confident that we have done that."
PRACTICE HIGHLIGHTS
1 5T Boesel, Raul G/O/F 40.4409 222.547
2 98 Boat, Billy D/O/F 40.5083 222.177
3 8T Sharp, Scott D/O/F 40.6839 221.218
4 4T Hornish Jr, Sam D/O/F 40.7131 221.059
5 14T Beechler, Donnie D/O/F 40.7180 221.032
6 14 Salazar, Eliseo D/O/F 40.8330 220.410
*7 52 Goodyear, Scott D/I/F 40.8750 220.183
8 99 Hamilton, Davey D/O/F 40.9747 219.648
9 93 Lazier, Buddy D/O/F 41.0465 219.264
10 28T Dismore, Mark D/O/F 41.0580 219.202
*12 51 Cheever Jr, Eddie D/I/F 41.1583 218.668
*18 24 Buhl, Robbie G/I/F 41.3046 217.893
*38 24T Buhl, Robbie G/I/F 43.6446 206.211
Text provided by Heather Handley
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