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NorthernLight IRL: McGehee Qualifies Fourth at Phoenix

19 March 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
Phoenix, AZ: Energizer Motorsports driver Robby McGehee will start tomorrow's MCI Worldcom 200 at Phoenix International Raceway on the outside of the second row due to an early and quick qualifying run on the renowned one-mile oval. McGehee, who has been running consistently in the top three during the weekend's practice sessions ran a speed of 174.258 mph and a lap time of 20.659-just three tenths off the pole speed-with his #5 Energizer Advanced Formula entry.

Robby McGehee, who is looking forward to his first Indy Racing League event at Phoenix International Raceway this weekend, was happy with his qualifying attempt. "It was exactly what we expected," he said. "The car did everything we wanted it to do and I was able to put my foot in it all the way around. We have been primarily concentrating on our race set-up se we are really pleased the car today. The Treadway team has given me a great car for tomorrow so I am excited to take a shot at my first IRL race at this track."

The 26 year-old St. Louis resident did not make his IRL debut last year until the Indianapolis 500, which makes this weekend's MCI WorldCom 200 a career first. However, McGehee is no stranger to the one-mile oval as he and the Treadway Racing crew ran at PIR for their first test together in November of last year as well as logging approximately 340 miles during the Test in the West in February.

Throughout his FF2000 career history, PIR proved to be one of McGehee's favorite tracks. In 1998, he finished on the podium in second, and in 1997 and 1996, he finished fourth and ninth respectively. However, as McGehee can attest, there is a large difference between and FF2000 car and the 2000 G-Force/Aurora/Firestone combination he will be piloting this weekend. "The car is obviously much faster and the track has always been a tricky one," he said. You have to really stay on top of things there because everything happens so quickly. We are in good shape because we have a great car for this race. We have tremendous mechanical grip, which should make us consistently quick each lap. It should be a great race this weekend and I am looking forward to getting back into the action after such long break from the Disney race."

This weekend's MCI Worldcom 200 will run on Sunday, March 19, at 4:00 p.m. EDT at the Phoenix International Raceway. It will be broadcast live on ABC Sports with pre-race radio coverage beginning at 3:30 p.m. followed directly with live race coverage.

Text provided by Ruthie Culbertson

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