---

NorthernLight IRL: Infiniti Powers Fourth-Place Finisher Cheever at Kentucky

28 August 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Sparta, Ky.-- Infiniti driver Eddie Cheever Jr. finished fourth in the inaugural race at the Kentucky Speedway in front of an estimated crowd of 61,214. The result adds to Infiniti's string of strong performances this season, having finished in the top ten in seven of eight races.

Starting the Belterra Resort Indy 300 from 15th place, Cheever broke into the top ten by lap 31 of the 200-lap race. After minor adjustments to the setup of the No. 51 Excite@Home Infiniti during the pit stops, Cheever's car was strong for the last half of the race when he ran as high as third. Unable to catch eventual race winner Buddy Lazier, Cheever settled for a fourth-place finish and third place in the point standings for the Northern Light Cup.

In the Team Purex/Dreyer & Reinbold Infiniti, Robbie Buhl, starting next to Cheever in 16th place, jumped to the top ten after the first round of pit stops, and ran as high as sixth place. Just past the halfway point of the race, Buhl dropped back in the standings when he mistimed his pit stop because of a radio communication problem. He then made two unscheduled pit stops for a bad vibration, ending his day in 13th place.

The final race of the 2000 Indy Racing Northern Light Series, the Excite 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, takes place on Oct. 15. The race will be televised live on ABC.

QUOTES

Eddie Cheever Jr., No. 51 Excite@Home Dallara-Infiniti: "The #51 Excite@Home car was loose at the beginning of the race. We over-corrected at the first pit stop and gave it some push, but the car was good for the last two stints. It's been a slugfest with Buddy Lazier for most of the season, but now I'd say he has a pretty firm lock on the Indy Racing championship. Today was Buddy's day. He deserved to win, and I was happy to see Sarah do well."

Robbie Buhl, No. 24 Team Purex/Dreyer & Reinbold Racing G Force-Infiniti: "We definitely had a top five car today, no two ways about it. I think we learned a lot about some things we need to change internally in terms of our communications during the race. We got hurt on that second pit stop because we didn't pit with the first group. We had a problem with people stepping on each other on the radio. There is no excuse for that. That will be fixed and never happen again. Then, what really kept us from a top five finish was that we had to make two green-flag stops because we picked up a horrible vibration on two sets of tires. It was to the point where I couldn't even see."

Frank Honsowetz, Manager, Infiniti Motorsports: "I never thought that this program would be unhappy with a fourth place finish. I guess that shows how far we have come; we will settle for nothing less than a win. Both engines were strong today, and Eddie and Robbie both were in the top ten of the fastest race laps. Overall, we should be pleased with our performance. Our focus between now and Texas will be on the getting the Infiniti 35A engine on the dynamometer and out on the track, as well as continue to make improvements on our current powerplant."

RESULTS

1. Buddy Lazier
2. Scott Goodyear
3. Sarah Fisher
*4. Eddie Cheever Jr.
5. Stephan Gregoire
6. Jeff Ward
7. Greg Ray
8. Shigeaki Hattori
9. Sam Hornish Jr.
10. Donnie Beechler
11. Mark Dismore
12. Buzz Calkins
*13. Robbie Buhl
14. Robby McGehee
15. J.J. Yeley
16. Davey Hamilton
17. Jimmy Kite
18. Billy Boat
19. Airton Dare
20. Jaques Lazier
21. Stevie Reeves
22. Tyce Carlson
23. Roberto Guerrero
24. Scott Sharp
25. Eliseo Salazar
26. Jeret Schroeder
27. Al Unser Jr.

Text provided by Heather Handley

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