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IRL: Greg Ray Captures Radisson 200 PPG Pole at Pikes Peak

27 June 1999

FOUNTAIN, Colo-- Greg Ray earned the Pep Boys Indy Racing League PPG Pole Saturday for tomorrow's Radisson 200 with a lap of 20.454 seconds, 176.005 mph on the 1-mile tri-oval Pikes Peak International Raceway.

Ray, from Plano, Texas, was the first qualifier of the day and held the top spot in the Glidden-Menards Dallara/Aurora/Firestone to post his second career PPG Pole. His first career pole came at Phoenix International Raceway in March.

"I don't know if I'm getting faster as a race car driver, but I know I'm getting smarter, more seasoned," said Ray. "I feel like we've had successes, we just haven't won races."

Ray is coming off a podium finish at the Longhorn 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. He started fourth and finished second matching his best career finish.

"Texas was a big boost for us," Ray said. "I think all you can do is go out and do your best."

Ray's pole gave Team Menard its 11th Pep Boys Indy Racing League PPG Pole, more than any other team. Ray was second fastest in Saturday's final 30-minute practice session.

Sunday's Radisson 200 starts at noon (MDT). The 200-lap race will be televised live on FOX Sports Net.

Rookie John Hollansworth Jr. qualified a career-best second at 20.471, 175.859 in the CompuCom-Lycos Dallara/Aurora/Firestone. Hollansworth is the first rookie to start on the front row of a Pep Boys Indy Racing League event since Billy Boat won the PPG Pole at Las Vegas in 1997.

Mark Dismore qualified third at 20.559, 175.106 in the MCI WorldCom Dallara/Aurora/Goodyear. Sam Schmidt was fourth at 20.563, 175.072 in the Sprint PCS G Force/Aurora/Firestone. Tyce Carlson will start fifth after posting a qualifying lap of 20.570, 175.012 in the Blueprint-Immke Racing Dallara/Aurora/Firestone.

Defending event and series champion Kenny Brack qualified 13th at 20.807, 173.019 in the A.J. Foyt Power Team Racing Dallara/Aurora/Goodyear. Brack, however, turned the fastest lap in the final practice session with a time of 20.715, 173.787, faster than he qualified.

Points leader Scott Goodyear qualified 14th at 20.894, 172.298 in the Pennzoil Panther G Force/Aurora/Goodyear.

Rookie Scott Harrington qualified eighth at 20.720, 173.745 in a one-lap qualification attempt with a broken right fibula in The CertainTeed Building Products Special Dallara/Aurora/Firestone. He was forced to return to the pits during his first qualification attempt after a crankshaft sensor vibrated loose.

Indianapolis 500 Bank One Rookie of the Year Robby McGehee brought out a yellow in the final practice session. McGehee's #55 Energizer Advanced Formula Dallara/Aurora/Firestone machine suffered extensive damage after making contact with the Turn 2 wall. McGehee was not injured, but Conti Racing withdrew the car from the Radisson 200.

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