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IRL: MCI Worldcom Indy 200 Event Happenings

11 March 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

PHOENIX- Event happenings leading up to and during the MCI WorldCom Indy 200 on March 17-19 at Phoenix International Raceway:

SPEEDFEST PARTY FOR FANS:

Many Indy Racing drivers will participate in the "Indy & NASCAR Speedfest Drivers Party" March 16 at the Arizona Center in Phoenix.

Indy Racing cars will be on display from 3-8 p.m., and drivers will sign free autographs from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

The fun, family-oriented event will include prizes, contests and live remotes by area television and radio stations.

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AREA APPEARANCES BY INDY RACING DRIVERS:

March 11: Al Unser Jr. will ride in a convertible during the popular Chandler Ostrich Festival Parade, which starts at 10 a.m. All Ostrich Race tickets will feature a $5 discount coupon on the back for a race-day ticket to the MCI WorldCom Indy 200.

At 1 p.m., Unser will throw the first pitch at the Arizona Diamondbacks-San Francisco Giants spring training game. All game programs will contain a coupon with a $5 discount for race-day tickets.

This will be just part of Unsers busy promotional schedule leading up to the race. He signed autographs and posed for pictures during a popular go-kart contest in Phoenix sponsored by rock radio station Power 92 on the afternoon of March 10. Later that evening, he served as the grand marshal during a kids "Big Wheel" race at the America West Center in Phoenix during a break in the Phoenix Suns-Utah Jazz NBA game.

March 15: Sarah Fisher will throw the first pitch at the Colorado Rockies-Seattle Mariners spring training game. Billy Boat also will throw out the first pitch at another spring training game.

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TICKETS:

Tickets for the MCI WorldCom Indy 200 are available by calling (602) 252-2227. Tickets also can be purchased online. See http://www.phoenixintlraceway.com/tickets.shtml for more information.

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HOW TO GET THERE:

Phoenix International Raceway is located west of Phoenix in Avondale. If traveling on Interstate 10, exit at either the Litchfield Road or Estrella Parkway exits. Go south, follow the signs and the direction of law enforcement officers stationed throughout the route.

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EVENT SCHEDULE:

The MCI WorldCom Indy 200 starts at 2 p.m. (MST) March 19. MBNA Pole Qualifying starts at 10:45 a.m. March 18.

Practice sessions start at 10:45 a.m. and 2:40 p.m. (MST) March 17, 8:15 a.m. March 18 and 9:15 a.m. March 19.

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ON THE AIR:

The MCI WorldCom Indy 200 will be televised live on ABC at 4 p.m. (EST) March 19. "Indy Racing 2Day" will be televised live at 11 a.m. March 19 on ESPN2.

ESPN2 will televise pole qualifying at 5:30 p.m. (EST) March 18.

The Indy Racing Radio Network will broadcast a 30-minute prerace show at 3:30 p.m. (EST) March 19, followed by the live race broadcast at 4 p.m. IRRN will broadcast a qualifying show at 4 p.m. March 18.

Text provided by IRL

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