Chevy Notes for Michigan IRL

BOWTIE BULLET POINTS: Chevrolet Notes for the Michigan Indy 400

Michigan International Speedway
Round 10 of 16, Indy Racing League IndyCar Series
Sunday, August 1, 3  p.m. EDT
TV: ABC (live), 3 p.m. EDT

* The 400-Mile Dyno Test

    After back-to-back short-track races, the IRL IndyCar Series returns to
a superspeedway for the Michigan Indy 400. With two miles of smooth
asphalt, 18-degree banked turns and a grueling 400-mile race distance,
Michigan International Speedway will be a test of power and endurance for
the engines that power the IndyCar Series.

    "Our development program for the Chevy Indy V-8 is continuing, and
we've focused on the next step in the evolution of our speedway engine
specification for the Michigan Indy 400," said GM Racing IRL program
manager Joe Negri. "The 400-mile race distance is second only to the Indy
500, and we expect that teams will run different fuel strategies. We're
optimistic that we have come up with improvements that will help
Chevrolet-powered teams in Chevy's home race."

* Michigan Chassis Notebook

    While downforce was the chief concern at IRL events in Nashville
and Milwaukee, the focus shifts to other characteristics at Michigan
International Speedway.

    "MIS is a low-downforce speedway, so the cars will run the
same aerodynamic configuration as they did at Texas Motor Speedway," said
Kevin Bayless, GM Racing aerodynamics and chassis specialist. "As with most
speedway races, the aerodynamic setup comes down to how well the teams can
minimize drag. In qualifying configuration, it's likely that handling won't
be an issue, so the cars will be trimmed out as much as possible for
maximum speed. In the race, however, the ride heights may be lowered
slightly to generate some additional downforce. The goal is to run a
competitive race with the least amount of downforce.

    "The MIS track is really quite smooth considering the harsh winters it
has to endure," Bayless noted. "There are a few areas with abrupt bumps.
These don't necessarily upset the handling of the car, but if the rear
tires lose traction momentarily going over a bump, the rpm spike can
activate the IRL rev limiter. Teams will be working on their shock absorber
and spring package so that the tires ride over the bumps smoothly.

    "The track is quite wide and there will almost certainly be two
grooves, so there should be many opportunities for passing," Bayless
predicted. "Drivers will be working on setups that allow them to run the
high groove in the race. That's probably going to be the place to be, as we
saw last year when Alex Barron just nipped Sam Hornish Jr. at the finish
line. To be competitive at MIS, a car should be able to run both lines
equally well."

* The Son Also Races

    Although Pennzoil Panther Racing driver Tomas Scheckter hails from
South Africa, a nation where oval tracks are rare, he will literally follow
in his father's tire tracks at Michigan International Speedway. Formula 1
champion Jody Scheckter competed in the International Race of Champions in
1975-77, driving one of 12 identically prepared Chevrolet Camaros. Jody
finished fourth in the IROC IV race at Michigan International Speedway in
1977, his best finish on an oval in his three years in the series.

* Chevrolet Drivers on the Michigan Indy 400

ALEX BARRON, Red Bull Cheever Racing Chevrolet Dallara:
    "I have some great memories from last season there. The win created a
lot of publicity, and I think it has had a big influence on where I'm at in
the 2004 season. We had a great test there, and it will be good to go back
there with a lot of confidence."

TOWNSEND BELL, Panther Racing Menards/Johns Manville Chevrolet Dallara:
    "I was in Michigan once before, back in 2000 while I was racing in
Indy Lights. It's a nice track. It reminds me a lot of Fontana. We had a
good Chevrolet test up there a few weeks ago, and I'm interested to see
where we match up with the other teams, especially in qualifying trim.
We're looking to bring home another good finish for the Panther guys."

ED CARPENTER, Red Bull Cheever Racing Chevrolet Dallara:
    "I am really looking forward to getting back up to Michigan. We tested
up there, and I felt very comfortable on the track. It is going to be a big
race for Chevy, since Detroit is so close. I'm looking forward to a good
run on race day."

FELIPE GIAFFONE, Team Purex Dreyer & Reinbold Chevrolet Dallara:
    "I have some good memories from Michigan. Two years ago, we all
kept swapping the lead in the last 15 laps. You definitely need to have
power to be up there, but Chevy is working very hard, and I believe we're
going to be strong. I've had some good races there in the past with the
IndyCar Series, and even with Indy Lights, when I won there in 2000.
Hopefully, I'm going to be coming out with some even better memories on
Sunday."

TOMAS SCHECKTER, Panther Racing Pennzoil Chevrolet Dallara:
    "I enjoy racing at Michigan, it's a place where I've had a lot of
success in the past. I expect the same results this year, and I know
Panther is going to give me a good car. Everybody on the Pennzoil Panther
crew is ready to get things right and Michigan is a place where we've both
performed well in the past. The Chevy engine test is really going to help
us heading into the weekend."

* Racing Around

    It's another full slate for Chevrolet this weekend as the Bowtie
Brigade seeks to enhance Chevy's record as the most successful manufacturer
in motorsports. The Chevy-powered entries in the IRL IndyCar series will
share the track at Michigan International Speedway with the Silverado
pickups competing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Chevy Monte Carlos
will race in the NASCAR Nextel Cup series event in Pocono, Penn., and the
Busch Series race at Pikes Peak International Raceway. Chevy drag racers
will conclude NHRA's three-week "Western Swing" at Infineon Raceway in
Sonoma, Calif. Chevrolet is the only manufacturer that currently competes
in America's premier stock car, open-wheel, drag racing and road racing
series.