IRL: Pep Boys Indy Racing League Weekly Notebook
2 June 1998
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Ray, from Plano, Texas, surprised the motorsports world by qualifying second and leading 18 laps at the Indianapolis 500 despite the Thomas Knapp Motorsports' team's small budget. A variety of sponsors, including Texas Motor Speedway, TNN, True Value and Dixie Chopper, sponsored Ray and TKM at Indianapolis when the team's previous primary sponsor withdrew as practice started for the event. Ray finished 18th, his race ending after 167 laps due to gearbox problems in his Dallara/Aurora/Firestone.
"It's wonderful to return home from the great success we had at Indy and have that momentum carry us to this weekend's race at Texas Motor Speedway," Ray said. "AT&T Wireless Services has responded to our success. It's great to be associated with such a leader in global communications."
Said Todd Felker, vice president of marketing, AT&T Wireless Services: "AT&T Wireless Services is really excited to be a sponsor for Greg and the #97 Dallara. Many of our customers and employees are race fans, so our sponsorship with a hometown racer like Greg is a great fit. We look forward to seeing him in Victory Lane on Saturday."
Ray finished a career-best eighth in the True Value 500 last year. He is 19th in the Pep Boys IRL point standings this year.
AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. is the largest digital wireless carrier in the United States and also provides messaging, wireless data and aviation communication services. AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. has more than 2.1 million Digital PCS customers and 8.2 million total wireless customers on a proportional count. AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T Corp.
Boesel, McCormack land season sponsor: TransWorld Diversified Services, Inc. will be the primary sponsor for McCormack Motorsports and driver Raul Boesel for the rest of the 1998 Pep Boys IRL season, team owners Dennis and Felicia McCormack announced June 2.
TransWorld Diversified Services, Inc., based in Tampa, Fla., is a holding company with a wide range of subsidiaries ranging from computer technologies to temporary staffing in both clerical and technical fields. TransWorld also offers classroom software training and on-location automobile detailing.
TransWorld Diversified Services, Inc., founded in 1989, operates throughout North America and Europe.
"McCormack Motorsports is pleased to welcome TransWorld Diversified Services to our team," Dennis McCormack said. "TransWorld is a leader in temporary staffing in state-of-the-art computer services, and we are excited about the opportunity to work together on a winning effort."
Said Skip Glass, president and chief executive officer of TransWorld Diversified Services, Inc.: "I'm extremely excited about our new sponsorship with McCormack Motorsports and driver Raul Boesel. The aggressiveness and tenacity displayed by the team at the Indianapolis 500 mirrors the philosophy of TransWorld as a corporation."
Alfa Laval, Team Losi, Fast Rod, Southwest Development, First American Title, Goodyear and Beloit Corporation remain as sponsors of the team. A new color scheme for the team's G Force/Aurora/Goodyear will be unveiled June 27-28 at the Pep Boys IRL event at New Hampshire International Speedway.
Open-wheel veteran Boesel, in his first year of Pep Boys IRL competition, is tied for 14th in the season point standings. His best finish was eighth at the Dura-Lube 200 in March at Phoenix. Boesel overcame early fuel pressure problems to finish 19th at the Indianapolis 500.
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The night is right: Pep Boys IRL standout Scott Goodyear is especially motivated to race this weekend in the True Value 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.
First, Goodyear yearns for a strong performance after finishing a disappointing 24th in the Indianapolis 500 on May 24 in the Pennzoil Panther G Force/Aurora/Goodyear.
Second, he loves to race at night. The True Value 500 is the first of three Pep Boys IRL races under the lights this year. Last year's True Value 500 was the first Indy-style race ever contested at night. The 1.5-mile quad-oval is illuminated by a state-of-the-art Musco system.
"Initially, I was skeptical," Goodyear said of night racing. "But I was thrilled after competing at Texas last year. With the first-class lighting system the track has installed, there is virtually no difference between racing there day or night."
The Lone Star 500 on Sept. 20, the second Pep Boys IRL event this year at Texas, is a day event.
Cheever fills the airwaves: Indianapolis 500 champion Eddie Cheever Jr. will be a familiar face June 3 on The Nashville Network.
Eddie Cheever
Cheever will appear on the popular show "Crook and Chase" at 3 p.m. (EDT) June 3. He also will be a guest on TNN's flagship entertainment series, "Prime Time Country," at 9 p.m. (EDT) that day.
TNN is televising the Pep Boys IRL True Value 500 live at 9 p.m. (EDT) this Saturday night from Texas Motor Speedway. It's the first of four Pep Boys IRL races to be televised live this year on TNN.
Guthrie to add color: Jim Guthrie won't stay far away from the racetrack while he recovers from injuries suffered in a crash during the Indianapolis 500.
Guthrie will serve as color commentator on the IMS Radio Network broadcast of the True Value 500 this Saturday night from Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. Guthrie will provide commentary and analysis, complementing the play-by-play call of Gary Lee.
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The live broadcast starts at 9 p.m. (EDT), with a pre-race show starting at 8:30 p.m.
Guthrie suffered a broken right elbow and left fibula, cracked right ribs and a slight laceration on his right leg after hitting the wall in Turn 3 on Lap 49 at Indianapolis. He could return to the driver's seat June 28 at New Hampshire International Speedway.
When Guthrie returns, he will drive for Cobb Racing. Guthrie entered the first three races of this season in a car fielded by ISM Racing.
This isn't the first time this year that Guthrie has worked on the airwaves. He served as a pit reporter for ABC Sports at the season-opening Indy 200 near Orlando, Fla., after failing to qualify. Guthrie lacked enough entrant points to earn a spot in the field after qualifying was rained out.
Next event: True Value 500, June 6, Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth. Tickets are available by calling Texas Motor Speedway at (817) 215-8500.
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