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INDY LIGHTS: Dixon and Renna endure problems in Houston

1 October 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

(Houston, TX) PacWest Indy Lights drivers Scott Dixon and Tony Renna struggled all day in Houston and will start sixth and fourteenth respectfully for tomorrows Texaco/Havoline Grand Prix of Houston.

Dixon, the current Dayton Indy Lights championship points leader, and his Invensys/Powerware crew worked late into the evening on Friday night trying to prepare his #17 machine for qualifying today after several problems overcame his efforts yesterday. The crew worked diligently under the dark of night and endured a sixteen-hour day to help keep Dixon in position to wrap up the championship this weekend.

Dixon maintains a twenty-point lead over Townsend Bell, heading into the 11th of 12 rounds of the Indy Lights championship.

Tony Renna, driver of the #18 Motorola PacWest Lights machine, tangled with Bell on the opening lap of practice this morning, and was unable to continue running. After a brief visit to CART medical, Renna was released to drive in the afternoon qualifying session. He suffered a mild injury to his right wrist, which was heavily wrapped for the afternoon session.

When he came back out for qualifying, Renna had difficulties controlling his car over the bumpy portions of the racetrack, and finished the session in fourteenth position.

SCOTT DIXON - # 17 INVENSYS/POWERWARE PACWEST LIGHTS 6th Practice time: 65.092s

"The red flags absolutely killed us today," said Dixon

"After all of the problems weve had this weekend, and working late into the night last night, we thought we would be ok for qualifying. I got a good run early on in the session to move me to the top of the list, then we went to new tires for our flying laps.

"I was planning on having 2 flying laps to end the session and improve my starting position, but the red flags didnt permit that. Well just have to stay focused tomorrow and work our way up."

TONY RENNA - # 18 MOTOROLA PACWEST LIGHTS 14th Practice Time: 66.359s

"Today was a rough day," said Renna.

"We had an accident this morning on the first lap of practice and missed the entire session. I got a little banged up, but not enough to keep me from qualifying.

"This afternoon, my wrist hurt so bad that I had a really hard time maintaining control of my car. The violence of the larger bumps affected the way I normally drive, so I had to adjust. Ive got some work to do with the PacWest trainer tonight, so Im confident Ill be stronger tomorrow in the race."

Text Provided By Brett Murray

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