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NorthernLight IRL: Gregoire OK after testing accident

7 October 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

INDIANAPOLIS - Indy Racing Northern Light Series veteran Stephan Gregoire was unhurt in an accident during testing Oct. 5 at Texas Motor Speedway.

Gregoire walked away from the accident after losing control of the Team Mexmil/Tokheim/Viking Air Tools/Cigarette G Force/Oldsmobile/Firestone fielded by Dick Simon Racing. The car incurred heavy damage.

"Were not sure exactly what happened," said crew chief Rich Simon. "Were still trying to determine that. Were now going to work on preparing the backup car for next weeks race."

Gregoire joined Greg Ray, Mark Dismore, Robby McGehee and Shigeaki Hattori in testing Oct. 5 at Texas in preparation for the season-ending Excite 500 on Oct. 15 at the track.

*** Kite appearing at Irwin Classic: Blueprint Racing driver Jimmy Kite will join other racing celebrities at the inaugural Kenny Irwin Classic on Oct. 7 at Whiteland (Ind.) Raceway, signing autographs at the karting event honoring Kenny Irwin Jr.

Irwin, a friend and competitor of Kites for a number of years in USAC, was killed earlier this year while practicing for a NASCAR Winston Cup event at New Hampshire International Speedway.

Activity at Whiteland Raceway will begin at 11:30 a.m. Net proceeds for the event will go to the Kenny Irwin Foundation and Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis.

"It is an honor to be associated with this event," said Kite. "Kenny and I raced in an awful lot of races together. We both came along about the same time, and we both had the choice of what career path to take about the same time. Kenny went to stock cars, I chose the Indy Racing Northern Light Series.

"We still saw each other at USAC races despite our different schedules. It was always a thrill to race Kenny. This is a great cause, and I hope I can help, in some small way, to draw attention to it for Kennys memory and for the kids at Riley."

The half-mile Whiteland facility is the oldest karting track in the United States and is owned by television commentator Gary Lee.

***

The new king: Greg Ray is out of the running to clinch his second consecutive Indy Racing Northern Light Series championship Oct. 15 during the Excite 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, but he did win another title recently.

Ray was voted "Chowder King" Oct. 2 at an event in downtown Dallas, beating out Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman and defensive lineman Chad Hennings, and Cowboys assistant coach Joe Avezzano.

Ray and other contestants were given chowder recipes to prepare and serve, and Rays was voted the best. Proceeds from the event went to charity.

2000 Indianapolis 500 pole sitter Ray enters the season finale at Texas in 11th in the Northern Light Cup point standings.

***

Hot laps: Live video of Indy Racing Northern Light Series practice sessions Oct. 13-14 from the Excite 500 will be broadcast at LiveonTheNet.com 1999 Indy Racing Northern Light Series champion Greg Ray will sign autographs from noon-1 p.m. (CDT) Oct. 9 in front of City Hall in downtown Fort Worth, Texas during a United Way Pep Rally. Rays Conseco/Quaker State/Menards Dallara/Oldsmobile/Firestone also is scheduled to be on display. Ray is a resident of nearby Plano Greg Rays showcar also will be on display Oct. 7 at the Lincoln Tech Institute Car Show and Open House in Grand Prairie, Texas Indy Racing and Indianapolis 500 veteran Dr. Jack Miller and his wife, Liz, welcomed their first child into the world Sept. 29, a girl named Jillian Elizabeth.

Text Provided By Paul Kelly

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