INDY500, IRL: Rookies, Vets to Share Track Saturday as Rain Washes Out Testing
10 April 1999
By Paul KellyINDIANAPOLIS - The final day of the Indianapolis 500 Rookie Orientation Program was rescheduled for Saturday as rain washed out all testing Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The Indianapolis 500 Open Test for veteran drivers also will start
Saturday. The schedule:
8:45-10:30 a.m.: Commercial shoot on track 10:45 a.m.-1 p.m.: Rookie Orientation Program 1-4 p.m.: Veteran Open Test 4-6 p.m.: Rookie Orientation Program The Open Test for veterans will resume from 9-6 p.m. Sunday on the historic, 2.5-mile oval. Private tire testing will take place from 9-6 p.m. Monday.
Fans are welcome to watch testing Saturday and Sunday, with gates opening at 9 a.m. both days. Admission is free, and seating is available in the South Terrace near the Hall of Fame and Museum.
Five of the nine rookies participating in the Rookie Orientation Program will attempt to finish the four-phase test Saturday: Mike Borkowski, Nick Firestone, Jaques Lazier, Robby McGehee and Jeret Schroeder. McGehee and Lazier each passed three phases Thursday, Firestone two and Schroeder one.
Borkowski didn't drive Thursday, as he is sharing the PDM Racing car with Ronnie Johncox.
Wim Eyckmans, John Hollansworth Jr., Johncox and Dave Steele each passed the ROP on Thursday but can take practice laps during the rookie portions of the schedule Saturday.
Nearly 30 Indianapolis 500 veterans are expected to test Saturday and Sunday in preparation for the 83rd Indianapolis 500 on May 30. Among those on the track will be two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Arie Luyendyk, 1998 winner Eddie Cheever Jr., 1996 winner Buddy Lazier, 1998 Indianapolis 500 PPG Pole winner Billy Boat, 1998 Pep Boys Indy Racing League champion Kenny Brack and this year's points leader, Scott Goodyear.
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