IRL: Sharp Earns PPG Pole at WDWS, Sets Track Record
24 January 1999
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Sharp's best lap in the Delphi Automotive Systems Dallara/Aurora/Goodyear broke the track record of 21.685, 166.013 set by Tony Stewart in 1997. It was Sharp's second career Indy Racing League pole and first since August 1997.
The season-opening Pep Boys Indy Racing League event starts at 1 p.m. (EST) Sunday and will be televised live on ABC.
"The series is so competitive, you have to run these cars on the edge," said Sharp. "You just have to keep the throttle down and put your faith in the man above. Greg (Ray) really has it together. I know he's going to carry the baton well for that team."
Ray will start on the outside of the front row of the 28-car field, next to Sharp, after posting a best lap of 170.697 mph in the Glidden-Menard Dallara/Aurora/Firestone. Ray, succeeding NASCAR-bound Stewart on the Menard team, just missed matching Sharp's time by 83-thousandths of a second.
Raul Boesel qualified third at 170.197 in the TransWorld Racing-McCormack Motorsports G Force/Aurora/Firestone, his best starting position in Indy Racing League competition. Scott Goodyear was fourth at 169.731 in the Pennzoil Panther G Force/Aurora/Goodyear, and defending series champion Kenny Brack was fifth at 168.563 in the A.J. Foyt-Power Team Dallara/Aurora/Goodyear.
Ray was scheduled to qualify early in the order but was forced to the back of the line due to a gearbox problem, which was quickly fixed. He was allowed only one qualifying lap, in accordance with Pep Boys Indy Racing League rules.
"Scott (Sharp) did his quickest lap on the second lap," said Ray. "I tried to go for it but had to leave a little in Turn 1. Scott did a great job. We will line up tomorrow and see what happens. The (mechanical problem) was a Catch-22. It was nice to go at the end of the line, but it would've been nice to get that pole."
The USAC Coors Light Silver Bullet Series race was postponed due to rain after just five laps. The 50-lap feature will resume Sunday immediately after the end of the Pep Boys Indy Racing League event.
Silver Bullet driver Dan Drinan was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center in good condition with scattered burns over both legs, both arms and back suffered in a four-car accident on Lap 2. He was awake and alert, said track medical director Dr. Henry Bock.
TRANSWORLD DIVERSIFIED SERVICES INDY 200 NOTEBOOK
Practice, practice: The final Pep Boys Indy Racing League practice, postponed by rain Saturday, will take place from 10-10:30 a.m. Sunday.
On the air: ABC will televise the TransWorld Diversified Services Indy 200 live at 1 p.m. (EST) Jan. 24.
The IMS Radio Network will broadcast the race live at 1 p.m. Jan. 24, with a prerace show starting at 12:30 p.m.
Tickets: Tickets for the TransWorld Diversified Services Indy 200 are available by calling (407) 939-6693.
For your information: Fans can call (407) 939-6825 for general information about the TransWorld Diversified Services Indy 200 at Walt Disney World Speedway, including race start times, ticket information, parking information and Walt Disney World resort package information.
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