IRL: Pikes Peak to throw unique curves at drivers, cars
19 June 1999
INDIANAPOLIS - The Radisson 200 figures to be one of the most interesting races of the Pep Boys Indy Racing League season, and not just because only 75 points separate first from 12th in the point standings.This race could be unpredictable because of the effects that the 5,357-foot altitude of Pikes Peak International Raceway will play on drivers and cars during the 200-mile race on June 27.
"If the engine runs out of oxygen, you go slower; if your body runs out of oxygen, you lose your ability to think and concentrate," said Eddie Cheever Jr., fifth in the league point standings. "To make sure I don't run out of breath, I am changing my training program and increasing my aerobics until race day."
Thinner air also creates less downforce when it skims over the wings of Indy Racing League cars. The combination of lower downforce with the relatively flat, 10-degree banking in the turns at PPIR creates quite a challenge for Goodyear and Firestone engineers.
"The ability of the tire to help the chassis stick to the racetrack is vital at a track like Pikes Peak," said Paul Lauritzen, Goodyear's operations manager for the Pep Boys Indy Racing League.
***
Indy Regency to join league: Indy Regency Racing LLC recently purchased a substantial ownership interest in Liberty Racing with an eye on competing in the Pep Boys Indy Racing League later this season.
The new team is named Indy Regency Motorsports. Sal Incandela is the president and chief operating officer, while Michael Deer is the chief executive officer and is in charge of marketing and business development. A driver will be named in the future.
"We have been interested in the Pep Boys Indy Racing League for quite some time," Incandela said. "Primarily, the cost effectiveness of the series seems to be unparalleled in open-wheel racing.
"Mr. Deer and myself have been discussing this on and off for two years. Quite frankly, the synergy of Mike's business background in racing and my technical background is a perfect match."
Indy Regency is no stranger to Indy Racing and other forms of elite open-wheel racing.
The team competed in CART in 1993 and 1994, with Arie Luyendyk finishing 18th in the team's car in the 1994 Indianapolis 500. Indy Regency also has participated in the Indy Lights series in the 1990s, including last season with Shigeaki Hattori.
***
Pikes Peak, by the numbers: Here's a statistical look at the upcoming Radisson 200 on June 27 at Pikes Peak International Raceway:
.Drivers competing at PPIR for the first time in their Indy Racing career: Tyce Carlson, Scott Harrington, John Hollansworth Jr., Jaques Lazier, Robby McGehee.
.Drivers finishing in the top five in both previous Radisson 200's: Stephan Gregoire (second, 1997; fourth, 1998); Davey Hamilton (third, 1997; fifth, 1998).
.Drivers running at the finish in both previous Radisson 200's: Eddie Cheever Jr., Mark Dismore, Scott Goodyear, Stephan Gregoire, Davey Hamilton, Buddy Lazier.
.Most Indy Racing laps completed at PPIR (400 possible): Tony Stewart 400; Eddie Cheever Jr., Stephan Gregoire, Davey Hamilton 399; Buddy Lazier 397.
***
Hot laps: Vogue magazine will feature a fashion photo shoot from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in its August issue, available on newsstands around July 20. Fall fashions were featured in the shoot with a Vogue model during practice for the Indianapolis 500 ? Thirty-three midget cars from the ARDC and NEMA sanctioning bodies will compete in a feature race June 19 at Flemington Speedway in Flemington, N.J. The cars will start in 11 rows of three, just like the Indianapolis 500.
Editors Note: For hundreds of hot racing photos and racing art, be sure to visit The Racing ImageGalleries and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.