NorthernLight IRL: Jackpot; Carlson finds speed, sponsor this week in Las Vegas
2 April 2000
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
LAS VEGAS- Good fortune arrived in a fitting spot this week for Hubbard-Immke Racing driver Tyce Carlson, as he recorded the fastest speed during Indy Racing testing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the team landed the Flamingo Las Vegas resort as its primary sponsor for the Vegas Indy 300 on April 22.
Carlson turned an unofficial top lap of 206.2 mph March 29 on the 1.5-mile oval. Fellow Indy Racing Northern Light Series standout Scott Sharp matched that speed the same day. On March 30, high winds slowed Carlson to 203 mph.
With the wind, were not disappointed, Carlson said. It certainly gives us a lot to build on when we come back here in a few weeks.
Hell return with the first motorsports sponsorship ever by the Flamingo, the Las Vegas Strips first resort-casino and the home of the Radio City Rockettes.
Weve been working on this program with the Flamingo Las Vegas for quite a long time, so its very gratifying to see things come together, Carlson said. Its terrific to be associated with a true icon like the Flamingo Las Vegas, and we look for this budding program to truly blossom in the future.
Besides Carlson and Sharp, other Indy Racing drivers testing at Vegas were Mark Dismore and Scott Goodyear.
Goodyear concentrated on race setups with the Pennzoil Panther team and reached 203.2 mph March 29.
We tried something new on day one of testing that shows great promise for the future, said Panther chief engineer Andy Brown. As we continue to fine tune the suspension, well be in great shape and have quite an advantage over the rest of the field.
CART teammates Juan Montoya and Jimmy Vasser also participated at the test in preparation for their attempt to race in the Indianapolis 500 in May with Target/Chip Ganassi Racing.
We just came here to familiarize ourselves with the car and the engine package, team owner Chip Ganassi said. We wanted to see what the car likes and doesnt like. I think we learned what we came here to learn. We feel a lot better about where we are.
The next stop for all Indy Racing teams - and Vasser and Montoya - is the Indianapolis 500 Open Test on April 7-11 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Text provided by Paul Kelly
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