IRL: Sharp And Dismore Take First Laps In '98 Dallaras

10 January 1998

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA.- Teammates Scott Sharp and Mark Dismore took their first shakedown laps in their new '98 Dallaras today at Walt Disney World Speedway in preparation for the Indy 200 scheduled for Saturday, January 24. Kelley Racing also announced plans for both drives including Sharp in the #8 car with primary sponsorship from Delphi Automotive Systems and Mark Dismore in the #28 car with primary sponsorship from The Kelley Automotive Group.

Mark Dismore

Dismore said, "I'm really happy (about returning with Kelley Racing). This is the first 10 minutes of a long season. I've got a great group of guys. It's also great to have Scott (Sharp) as a teammate to keep learning and to exchange information. Tom (Kelley, team owner) is giving us everything to make the best of or to screw up. This is my first time on this track and I've got 2 days to find a line around this place. We've got a long way to go and I hope Mother Nature cooperates."

Scott Sharp commented, "I'm really excited is an understatement about the opportunity that Kelley (Racing) and Delphi have given me. Each team member feels the same way - which is very unique. This test obviously is very important to us, seeing how the race is just 2 weeks away. The crew is led by David Cripps who has done an unbelievable job to bring us from non-existent in the first week of November to where we are now and I'm just really thrilled."

Tony Stewart, Buzz Calkins, and Roberto Guerrero continued testing at the track today. Unofficial top speeds from today's testing are as follows: Stewart at 168.224 mph; Guerrero at 167.209 mph; and Calkins at 162.896 mph.

The car Tom Sneva drove to victory in the 1983 Indianapolis 500 will be on display in the Orlando area Friday and Saturday. On Friday, January 9 the car will be on display all day at the Florida Mall. On January 10 the car will be displayed at Goodings Grocery Store in Apopka from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and at Goodings Grocery Store on West Colonial from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sneva started 4th position that year, qualifying his March/Cosworth at a speed of 203.680 mph.

Tickets for the Jan. 24 Indy 200 at Walt Disney World Speedway Presented by Aurora are available by calling Ticketmaster 407/839-3900 (Orlando) or 813/287-8844 (Tampa).

Editors Note: The images displayed in this article (plus many more) can be viewed in the Racing Image Galleries from The Callahan Racing Page.