Pikes Peak Takes Its Toll on Drivers

FOUNTAIN, Colo. August 22, 2004; John Marshall writing for the AP reported that with little downforce on the cars, bumps in two turns and plenty of speed for a short track, Pikes Peak International Raceway is one of the most demanding layouts on the IndyCar circuit. It's difficult, but still fun.

"I enjoy it," said Dan Wheldon, who finished third behind Dario Franchitti and Adrian Fernandez in Sunday's IRL Honda 225. "I think what this track does, it accentuates any small problems. That makes it a good track to be at."

Wheldon and the leaders were able to negotiate their way through the mile tri-oval without too much trouble, but there were plenty of drivers who had difficulty maintaining control.

Buddy Rice's problems started right away.

The Indianapolis 500 champion bumped Tomas Scheckter coming out of second turn on the first lap Sunday, spun and slammed into the infield wall. Rice was knocked out of the race and missed out on a chance to reduce Tony Kanaan's lead in the series standings.

"I was going to take it easy and settle in," said Rice, who trails Kanaan by 69 points with four races left. "It's fun because the car was straight on the back straightaway, but when Scheckter came around, the rear end just came around. It went loose quicker than I could believe."

Sam Hornish Jr. didn't even need to hit anyone to have trouble. Running third on lap 157, the two-time series champion spun out coming around the final turn and slammed into the wall.

"I was trying to get back up on some guys, and the car just got away from me," he said. "I wasn't pushing it that hard. I don't know. It was a weird deal."

Scheckter was in the top five when he knocked out of the race on lap 161 with a broken drive shaft.