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IRL: Impressive run ends early for Cheever at Las Vegas

27 September 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

After an impressive charge to the lead early in the race, Infiniti driver Eddie Cheever Jr. finished a disappointing 17th in the Vegas.com 500.

In the first 30 laps of the 208-lap race, Cheever drove from 18th to the lead of the Vegas.com 500 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He led for a total of 32 laps and ran in the top two for over half the race. He was running second to Kenny Brack on lap 138 when the engine broke, ending his day early.

The 1999 Pep Boys Indy Racing League season concludes with the Lone Star 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on October 17. The event will be televised on ABC Sports at 4:00 p.m. (EDT).

Quotes:

Eddie Cheever Jr., No. 51 The Children's Beverage Group/Team Cheever Infiniti/Dallara/Goodyear (qualified 18th, finished 17th): "It's naturally very unfortunate. The guys did everything right today, the engine was strong and the car was running extremely well. When I passed all those cars in the beginning to take the lead, I can't tell you how much fun that was! I really thought we had it today. That charge at the beginning of the race was because of the power of the Infiniti engine. You could literally see its horsepower. We've been trying new bits in the engine and we may have pushed the envelope too far today. It is to be expected when your expectations are as high as ours and Infiniti. Nissan has won races in every motorsports category they chosen to compete in; we came close to entering another one in the books today."

Race Highlights:

1. Sam Schmidt
2. Kenny Brack
3. Robbie Buhl
4. Scott Sharp
5. Buzz Calkins
6. Robbie McGehee
7. Jaques Lazier
8. Stephan Gregoire
9. Tyce Carlson
10. Jeff Ward
17. Eddie Cheever Jr.

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.