IRL: Arie Luyendyk and the Treadway Racing Team View the Track From a Different Angle
24 March 1998
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Luyendyk, who had moved steadily up through the field from his starting position of 19th to settle comfortably into 12th, had his eye on the front row when Salazar spun out directly in front of him as they headed into turn two. Luyendyk and the Treadway Team had nowhere to go, and as they struggled to avoid the incident, the #5 G-Force/Aurora/Firestone package was taken for a quick ride upside down across the track.
The incident was a testimony to the strength and durability of Luyendyk's helmet, as he was able to get out of the car and walk away from the infield medical center with only a few minor scratches and the severely abraded helmet. "I slid across the track upside down," said Luyendyk. "I could feel the heat radiating off of the helmet while I was sliding. It was incredible. It was actually kind of cool."
The second round of the IRL season proved bittersweet for the Treadway Racing Team. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief that Luyendyk walked away unscathed, but the incident left the team with a mere six points toward the 1998 IRL Championship. "I am naturally disappointed with our result," stated Luyendyk. We worked hard all weekend to get the car where we wanted it, and to finish this way is a tough break. I just had nowhere to go when Salazar spun. The seat belts held well while I was sliding, but my natural reaction was to reach up toward my helmet, and I scraped my hand up a bit. I am fine, but I am disappointed for all of our sponsors. We put a lot of effort into this race."
The Phoenix International Raceway has proved to be a blessing and a curse for the unique combination of veteran driver, and rookie team owner. Luyendyk and the team captured the pole, victory and track record at PIR their first time out in 1996. In addition, the Sommelsdyk native is the only driver in the IRL series this year to have won two Indy-style races at that particular track. However, the past two years have brought disappointment for the team at PIR. "We just have to re-group," stated Luyendyk. "It is already over and it is time to think about Indianapolis."
The final results of the Dura Lube 200 at Phoenix International Raceway are as follows:
FP Car # Driver Entrant 1 8 Scott Sharp Kelley Racing 2 1 Tony Stewart Team Menard 3 11 Billy Boat A.J. Foyt Enterprises 4 77 Stephan Gregoire Chastain Motorsports 5 35 Jeff Ward ISM Racing 6 4 Scott Goodyear Panther Racing, LLC 7 99 Sam Schmidt LP Racing, Inc. 8 30 Raul Boesel McCormack Motorsports 9 12 Buzz Calkins Bradley Motorsports 10 51 Eddie Cheever Jr. Team Cheever 11 97 Greg Ray Thomas Knapp Motorsports 12 3 Robbie Buhl Team Menard 13 20 Tyce Carlson Immke Racing 14 14 Kenny Brack A.J. Foyt Enterprises 15 10 Mike Groff Johnathan Byrd/Cunningham 16 28 Mark Dismore Kelley Racing 17 17 Brian Tyler Chitwood Motorsports 18 7 Jimmy Kite Team Scandia 19 18 John Paul PDM Racing 20 16 Marco Greco Phoenix Racing 21 23 Paul Durant CBR Cobb Racing 22 22 Dave Steele RSM Marko, Inc. 23 15 Eliseo Salazar R & S Cars Inc. 24 5 Arie Luyendyk Treadway Racing 25 44 J.J. Yeley SRS Racing 26 6 Davey Hamilton Nienhouse Motorsports 27 21 Roberto Guerrero Pagan Racing 28 91 Buddy Lazier Hemelgarn Racing
The next event on the Pep Boys IRL schedule is the Indianapolis 500 on May 24, 1998.
Editors Note: The photos shown in this article are available for larger viewing in the Racing Image Galleries.