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IRL: Driver Comments on Disney Open Testing

13 December 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

EDDIE CHEEVER JR. (Team Cheever Dallara/Infiniti/Firestone): "Were just trying to get some miles on the Infiniti 3.5-liter. Its the second test we ve had. We had to make some changes yesterday to the engine, but it seems to be running well. Were in the old Dallara still, looking forward to getting our new Riley & Scott chassis. This is the first time weve ran Firestone tires, and Im very impressed with them. Theyre very smooth and have a lot of grip." (About the teams plans for the Open Test Jan. 5-6, 2000 at Walt Disney World Speedway): "We have two things to work on. One is engine reliability, and the other is making sure the new car marries itself well to the Firestone tires."

BUZZ CALKINS (Bradley Motorsports Dallara/Aurora/Firestone): "We are just trying to get a baseline for the car. Were learning about some things the car does like and doesnt like, and its moving us in the right direction. Its been a productive test. Were hoping to test in Phoenix right before Christmas, then come down here in January and hopefully well have a whole database of stuff to move forward with. Youll probably see different weather conditions from early December to the time of the race, so hopefully well be able to adjust to that."

ROBBY McGEHEE (Treadway Racing G Force/Aurora/Firestone): (About the 2000 G Force): "Its really awesome. This is the first day were really trying to get the new car running well. Its going to be a great year for the Energizer team. We went right out today and ran fast. The car only has 50 or 60 laps on it, and were already the same speed as the 99 car. Its very comfortable and has a lot of downforce." (About new affiliation with Treadway Racing): "This deal with Treadway is fantastic. Its going to give me the opportunity to be in the winners circle, and I think its a win-win deal for everybody in this organization."

BRIAN BARNHART (Director of Racing Operations, Indy Racing League): "Im extremely pleased with the way the entire week has gone, with the private testing and the Indy Racing League Open Test. I couldnt be any happier with the job our manufacturers have done. To have G Force and Dallara, and Oldsmobile and Nissan run the amount of laps they have run and have a total lack of problems is a credit to their dedication and the job they have done. Weve got Panther Racing with over 400 miles on their car-engine-transmission combination. Theyre extremely pleased, and I think everybody is." (About expectations for January Open Test): "Teams will be finalizing their setup and becoming more familiar with the cars. Track time this weekend has been nonstop. They keep working on the cars and fine-tuning them, and when they come back in January theyll keep dialing them in and doing long runs. I think youll see a higher level of participation at that test. Well probably be in the low- to mid-20s in the number of cars, and youll see guys getting a lot of laps."

KEVIN BLANCH (Chief Mechanic, Pennzoil Panther Racing): "Were seeing what the car wants, testing different spring packages, different shock packages and other things. The Dallara is really nice. We built it in a week, which cuts that job time by about two weeks. And the Xtrac (gearbox) people are great to work with. (Driver) Scott (Goodyear) loves the new transmission, and their people have been a real help. For the January Open Test, we want to have the car set up in the way well race it. Anything we want to try for the race, we will have it ready to test."

SKIP FAUL (Crew Chief and Team Manager, Treadway Racing): "The cars running good. Were still in the early stages of shaking it out. Every change weve made seems to be going forward. Robby (McGehee) is doing really well. Were still just getting to know each other and figuring out what he likes and what we like. I think its come along pretty well. He ran the 1999 car well yesterday and the new car well today, and I think were in the ballpark." (About preparations for the January Open Test): "Were just going to see how much more we get out of this now, and then well go home and look at all the information and see what we want to do differently and go from there."

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.