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IRL Announces Mailing of Indy 500 Invitations

24 February 1998

For Immediate Release                					           Schedule Attached


ENTRY INVITATIONS MAILED FOR 82ND INDIANAPOLIS 500

	INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 24, 1998 - Entry invitations for the 82nd Indianapolis
500 were mailed yesterday to race teams eligible to enter and compete for
the 33 starting spots in the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing," May 24 at the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

 	The entry deadline is midnight April 9.  

	Arie Luyendyk, the two-time defending Indy 500 champion and qualifying
track record holder, and Tony Stewart, the 1996-97 Indy Racing League
champion, are expected to enter and contend for victory in the world's
richest race. Also returning will be last year's Indy 500 Rookie of the
Year, Jeff Ward, who had an impressive debut with a third-place finish.
 
	Other anticipated entries include 1996 Indy 500 champion Buddy Lazier, 1996
IRL co-champions Buzz Calkins and Scott Sharp, and Eddie Cheever Jr, who
currently holds the fastest race lap record of 236.103 mph. Raul Boesel, who
finished third in the 1989 Indianapolis 500, also plans a return to the
Speedway for the first time since 1995.  
	
	"After a season of competition with our new cars and engines, we are
looking forward to the 1998 Indianapolis 500. Although the 1997 race was
very exciting, I'm sure this year will be even better," said Leo Mehl,
executive director of the Indy Racing League. "There are over 70 car and
engine packages available - which shows significant growth over last year.
Both the April test period and over 50 hours of practice in the two-week
period in May will assist the teams in preparation for the race and will
also provide a great show for the fans."

	Luyendyk and Treadway Racing took home $1,568,150 last year of a record
$8,642,450 in prizes and posted awards. The .57-second win over Scott
Goodyear enabled Luyendyk to become the all-time Indianapolis 500 money
leader earning $5,027,329 in 13 starts at the 2.5-mile oval.

	Teams entered for the 82nd Indianapolis 500 can participate in the first
ever open test at the Speedway April 14-18. Rookies will participate in the
Rookie Orientation Program on 
April 14-15, with veterans testing on April 16-17. Firestone and Goodyear
will also select teams to participate in a tire test scheduled for April 18.

	Opening day for this year's Indianapolis 500 is May 10.  Qualifications
have been shortened from four days to two this year, combining Pole Day and
Bubble Day into one breathtaking weekend. The Indianapolis 500, with all
reserved seats sold out last June, will be broadcast by ABC Sports and the
IMS Radio Network. General admission tickets for practice, qualifications,
and race day can be purchased in advance by calling  (317) 484-6700. 

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