IRL: Infiniti Insider Trackside Qualifying Report, Texas Motor Speedway
17 October 1999
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
INFINITI INDY INSIDER
*Trackside Report, Mall.com 500, Texas Motor Speedway*
Qualifying -- Saturday, Oct. 16, 1999
Infiniti Indy driver Eddie Cheever Jr. will start the Mall.com 500 at Texas Motor Speedway from the tenth row of the ultra competitive 27-car grid. Just .387 of a second separate pole winner Greg Ray from 20th place qualifier Eddie Cheever Jr. That is the closest such margin in Pep Boys Indy Racing League history.
In the two practice sessions, Cheever used the traffic to his advantage and posted some quick speeds with the help of a tow from behind other race cars. In the first practice, Cheever was fourth fastest with a 215.104 mph speed and seventh fastest in the second practice session with a 214.417 mph speed.
The Mall.com 500 race will be televised Sunday, Oct. 17 on a same-day, delayed basis at 4 p.m. (EDT) on ABC.
Quotes:
Eddie Cheever Jr., No. 51 The Children's Beverage Group/Team Cheever Infiniti/Dallara/Goodyear (qualified 20th):"This is the quickest time we've run by ourselves. I'm glad that we've gotten through the last two days without the engine problems we experienced from Vegas. The car is working very well in traffic, and that is going to be extremely important in tomorrow's race. It's going to be like a race in Talladega tomorrow--you lift, and I guarantee you, you will be in big trouble."
Qualifying Highlights:
1. Greg Ray, 216.107 mph
2. Mark Dismore, 216.071
3. Scott Goodyear, 216.036
4. Sam Schmidt, 215.662
5. Kenny Brack, 214.593
6. Davey Hamilton, 214.523
7. Scott Sharp, 214.189
8. Scott Harrington, 214.058
9. Tyce Carlson, 213.874
10. Eliseo Salazar, 213.787
20. Eddie Cheever Jr., 212.711
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