Northern Light IRL: Scott Goodyear lends hand to Team Cheever at Miami Test
31 January 2001
Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
MIAMI,- Looking to get a head start on preparations
for the Infiniti Grand Prix of Miami on April 8, Team Cheever tested its
2000 car Jan. 29-30 at Homestead-Miami Speedway with two-time Indianapolis
500 runner-up Scott Goodyear behind the wheel."We’re testing with the car and engine that the team ran with last year so we can get a baseline for when we come back with the update kit and new engine," Goodyear said.
Goodyear hasn’t signed a contract for 2001, but he is testing for Team Cheever and also will compete in the True Value IROC all-star series, representing the Indy Racing Northern Light Series.
During his first four years of Indy Racing League competition, Goodyear drove Oldsmobile-powered cars. This was his first experience with an Infiniti engine.
"This motor feels very strong, it’s got a lot of torque and it feels different in some areas than the Oldsmobile I had last year, but overall it’ s a good package," said Goodyear, who finished second in the 2000 Northern Light Cup standings.
The Infiniti engine was just one of the new elements to which Goodyear adapted during testing this week.
"I raced here once before in 1996 on the old Homestead-Miami Speedway configuration, but this is my first time on the new layout," Goodyear said. "This is also my first time testing with Team Cheever, so we’re learning a lot about the track and getting to know the guys on the team."
Practice for the Infiniti Grand Prix of Miami begins April 6, with MBNA Pole qualifying April 7. Tickets are now on sale by calling (305) 230-RACE, or may be ordered online at www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com.
Text Provided By Paul Kelly
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