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IRL, Indy 500: Infiniti Insider Report from Indy

28 May 1999

Teams went out for a two-hour practice session today to make final adjustments and fine tune their machines for the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 30.

Infiniti Indy drivers Eddie Cheever Jr., Jeret Schroeder, and Roberto Guerrero went on track for the final time before this Sunday's race. Cheever was 15th quickest, Schroeder 17th and Guerrero 23rd quickest with their race day setups.

Engine RPM Reduction Announced: Pep Boys Indy Racing League officials announced today that all engines will be required to operate at 10,000 rpms or lower beginning at the Longhorn 500 presented by MCI Worldcom on June 12 at Texas Motor Speedway.

The new rule will be in effect for the remainder of the 1999 season. It follows a reduction in the rpm limit from 10,500 in 1998 to 10,300 at the beginning of 1999.

"It's a positive step to take," said Honsowetz about the new regulation. "The Indy Racing League needed a way to reduce the speeds. Lowering the rpm limit will accomplish this. We figure that the change will decrease our horsepower by 20 to 30."

Quotes:

Eddie Cheever Jr., No. 51 Team Cheever/The Children's Beverage Group Infiniti/Dallara/G Force (Starting 16th): "Everything is perfect. The car is running extremely well and the Infiniti engine is getting stronger and stronger. Winning this race is going to come down to pit stops, consistency, and a big dose of luck."

Jeret Schroeder, No. 96 Purity Farms CBR Cobb Racing Infiniti/G Force/Firestone (Starting 21st): "Everything is fine. We just scrubbed some tires and made some adjustments to our wing. We had a clutch problem, but the Cobb Racing crew got that solved right away. More family and friends are arriving daily, and we just hope to have a good day on Sunday and finish the race."

Roberto Guerrero, No. 50 CBR Cobb Racing/Motor Trend Infiniti/G Force/Firestone (Starting 25th): "I am very happy. I was a bit nervous because we had some problems with the handling. We made a couple of changes, and the car feels very comfortable now. The race engine we have is very responsive. It is very good at the bottom end, which is important for this race."

Practice Times from Carburetion Day:

1. Sam Schmidt, 222.458
2. Greg Ray, 221.822
3. Greg Ray, 221.790
4. Arie Luyendyk, 221.380
5. Hideshi Matsuda, 221.185
6. Tyce Carlson, 221.114
7. Tony Stewart, 221.098
8. Buddy Lazier, 220.848
9. Jeff Ward, 220.432
10. Robby Unser, 220.302
15. Eddie Cheever Jr., 219.047
17. Jeret Schroeder, 218.542
23. Roberto Guerrero, 215.760

Upcoming Television Coverage (all times eastern):

Fri., May 28 - Indy 500 daily report - 6:30 to 7 pm - ESPN2

Sat., May 29 - Indy 500 Special - 3:30 to 4:30 pm - ESPN

Sat., May 29 - Before They Go Green - 4:30 to 5:30 pm - ESPN

Sun., May 30 - Indy 500 - 11 to 3:30 pm - ABC

Editors Note: For hundreds of hot racing photos and racing art, be sure to visit The Racing ImageGalleries and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.