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Title Contenders, 18 Others Expected for IRL Vegas Open Test

29 August 1997


TITLE CONTENDERS, 18 OTHERS EXPECTED FOR IRL VEGAS OPEN TEST


For Immediate Release

INDIANAPOLIS, August 28, 1997 -- Tony Stewart, the Indy Racing League's
1996-97 driver point leader, and Davey Hamilton, his nearest challenger,
head the list of drivers scheduled to participate in the League's open test
Sept. 3-5 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

At least 12 teams and 18 drivers are expected to take part in the test to
prepare for the season-closing Las Vegas 500k on Oct. 11 at the 1.5-mile oval.

Stewart holds a 10-point edge over Hamilton with 38 points available in the
Las Vegas race. Eddie Cheever Jr., is third in the point race, but
mathematically could only tie for the title if Stewart doesn't start at Vegas.

Team Menard will have both Stewart and Robbie Buhl on hand at the test.
Hamilton, who now resides in Las Vegas, will be joined by Billy Boat in the
AJ Foyt Enterprises stable.

The test will be the first for supermodified and Indianapolis 500 veteran
Paul Durant with the Jonathan Byrd-Cunningham team. Durant takes over from
Johnny Unser, who is scheduled to test for Hemelgarn Racing in Las Vegas
along with Buddy Lazier.

	Others expected to test are:
	Team Scandia -- Jimmy Kite, Eliseo Salazar, Vincenzo Sospiri
	PDM/Kelley Racing -- John Paul Jr., Mark Dismore
	Chastain Motorsports -- Stephan Gregoire
	Pagan Racing -- Roberto Guerrero
	Chitwood Motorsports -- Affonso Giaffone
	Bradley Motorsports -- Buzz Calkins
	Arizona Motorsports - Dr. Jack Miller
	Blueprint Racing -- Jim Guthrie
	
Fans are invited to attend a free IRL driver autograph session in the Las
Vegas Motor Speedway garage area from 4 - 5  p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4.

Ticket information for the Las Vegas 500 is available by  calling
1-800-644-4444.

..IRL97-32..