INDY RACING: Chevy 500 to take place with revised schedule

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

September 13, 2001

Race on schedule, qualifying canceled, practice sessions set for Saturday, Sunday

INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2001 - The Chevy 500 Indy Racing Northern Light Series event will take place this weekend with a revised schedule, officials from the Indy Racing League, NASCAR and Texas Motor Speedway announced today.

The season-ending Chevy 500 will start as scheduled at 3:30 p.m. (CDT) Sunday. A practice session from 10-10:30 a.m. will precede the race that day.

Though NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series practice and other Texas Motor Speedway activities will take place Friday, MBNA Pole Qualifying has been canceled. The field will be set by entrant points, according to Indy Racing League rules. 2001 Indy Racing Northern Light Series champion Sam Hornish Jr., who drives for entrant points leader Panther Racing, will start from the pole.

An open Indy Racing practice session will take place from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (CDT) Saturday. The Silverado 350 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race will start as scheduled at 3 p.m. Saturday.

"Our thoughts, prayers and sympathy are with everyone affected by the tragedy Tuesday in New York and Washington," said Tony George, president and CEO of the Indy Racing League. "We will race at Texas with sadness and compassion for those who are suffering across the country and around the world due to these events, and we think that this abbreviated schedule is the proper way to carry on during this very difficult time. President George Bush has kept the offices of government open and has pledged that 'the American economy will be open for business.' In this spirit, we are moving forward."

Text provided by Paul Kelly

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