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Pennzoil Pagan Racing Preview: Guerrero Heads for Season Finale

7 October 1997

Guerrero Feels Good About IRL Finale 
 

   Pennzoil Pagan driver Roberto Guerrero, currently seventh in Indy 
Racing League (IRL) points, heads to Las Vegas this week looking for 
his first IRL win and second straight top five finish in final series 
points.  Guerrero and his Pagan Racing teammates finished fourth at 
the new 1.5 mile oval a year ago and posted that same position on the 
speed chart in last month's open IRL test.

Roberto Guerrero

Guerrero on...

...the value of September's open test at Las Vegas:

   "It was very valuable.  When we first went out, we were way off.  
We started with more of a set-up like we used at Charlotte or Dallas.  
But, Vegas has a lot less banking than those tracks, so we changed the 
set-up drastically.  It was 180 degrees different when we were 
finished.  If we had started race weekend like that without testing -- 
getting one hour of practice here and one hour of practice there -- we 
would never have caught up.  Now that we have a good baseline, I think 
we can stay with it and have a really good weekend out there."


...chances of getting first IRL win at Las Vegas:

   "With the test that we did and the set-up that we have, I think 
realistically we have a good chance to win.  There are always those 
certain things that are out of your control, but when it's your day, 
it's your day.  My goal for this race is simply to win.  We nee to go 
out and run the best we possibly can and then let the rest take care 
of itself."


...racing Las Vegas at night versus in the daytime:

   "I think the biggest difference will be the wind, which carried a 
lot of dust with it last year.  I don't think we'll see very much wind 
running at night, which should eliminate that problem."


...importance of a good starting position at Las Vegas:

   "Like any oval, if your car is working during the race, it really 
won't matter where you start.  This track may be a little slippery, 
and if that's the case, then it's just a matter of being there at the 
end."


Guerrero's IRL record at Las Vegas

Race                     S   F     LC    TL     Status    Winnings
Las Vegas 500k (1996)    9   4    198   200    Running     $75,000 

For More Information
Contact: Al Larsen
Cohn &  Wolfe
404-880-5267
al_larsen@cohnwolfe.com