Boesel Takes First Laps In IRL;
Sharp Sets Unofficial Track Record
12 January 1998
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Boesel, who finished third in the 1989 Indianapolis 500, completed 57 laps of the 1-mile oval in the McCormack Motorsports G Force/Oldsmobile Aurora. He will continue testing Saturday in preparation for the Indy 200 presented by Aurora on Jan. 24. Boesel also will make a special announcement at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the track.
Sharp, one of seven drivers testing Friday, broke the unofficial record of 21.21, 169.651 set by Scott Goodyear in December 1996 during a Goodyear tire test. Sharp was driving the Delphi Automotive Systems Dallara/Oldsmobile Aurora fielded by Kelley Racing for just the second day, as he made his debut with the team during shakedown laps Thursday. Sharp will continue testing Saturday morning with teammate Mark Dismore.
Boesel commented, "I just need to adjust to the car. It's different. This place is a little bit different. It's quiet nice, actually. I hope tomorrow to concentrate some more on speed. I've been driving turbo cars for a long time, and this engine is different. The car is heavier. I think the car, once you get used to it, is more forgiving. I'm not at that stage, so I need to build my confidence slowly."
Sharp commented on his run, saying, "It's unbelievable. For these conditions, our car is working really well. Chances are things will be a little bit different when we come back for the race. To be able to dial a car the way we have today, I don't see any reason why we can't dial the car into different conditions. To come out here and Go as fast as we did, I never event planned on dreaming about doing that."
Tickets for the Jan. 24 Indy 200 at Walt Disney World Speedway Presented by Aurora are available by calling Ticketmaster 407/839-3900 (Orlando) or 813/287-8844 (Tampa).
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