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IRL: Indy 500 Winner, Eddie Cheever, and Teammate, Robby Unser, Look Forward to the Radisson 200

15 August 1998

TEAM CHEEVER COMES HOME TO THE ROCKIES

Fountain, CO. -- Eddie Cheever, winner of this year's Indianapolis 500 and Teammate Robby Unser, are looking forward to making another strong showing at Pikes Peak International Raceway this weekend. The Radisson 200, which is Round 8 of the 11-race Pep Boys Indy Racing League (IRL) series, promises to be one the toughest of the season.

"PPIR is a well designed track and built by people who know how to build a fast race track. It is very smooth and could well be the quickest 1-mile oval in the nation," spoke Cheever. "We haven't tested at PPIR this year, but I believe the pace will be at least 3-miles an hour faster than last year."

With the drop of the green flag, Eddie Cheever looks to improve his standing from 11th in the Points while Robby Unser plans to hold onto his lead amongst the other Rookies. Last year, Cheever and his team made a strong showing by finishing fourth after a race-long lead.

"Our Crew Chiefs, Owen Snyder and Dane Harte, have proven that they know how to squeeze every last ounce of speed out of our cars as well as this track," commented Cheever of the 200-lap race. "Once up to speed, it'll come down to race strategy. We'll save the car, get faster as the race progresses and aim to be strongest in the final 30 laps."

"This will be my first time at PPIR and I'm really looking forward to it. I've recovered from my Dover injury and don't think it'll have any affect on my performance this weekend," added Unser. "Dane really knows this track. I know he and the guys are going to give me a great car; so, for my part, I'm just gonna keep my head down and run hard."

Though it may be Robby Unser's first time at PPIR, he and Cheever are no strangers to the Colorado area. Cheever lived in Aspen for 6 years and still vacations locally with his family. Unser, who lives just a few hours away in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is well known in Colorado Springs for his incredible eight wins of the Pikes Peak Auto Hill Climb.

"This is God's Country," commented Cheever. "I just love coming here. With my clan and the Unsers living so close by, we should have a full house this weekend."

"The Unsers are making this race a real family affair," added Robby Unser. "I expect to have over twenty of my folks drive up from Albuerque and Santa Fe. It'll be great fun."

The Radisson 200 will be televised live on ABC at 4pm EDT on Sunday, August 16th. Qualifying will be broadcast live on Speedvision at 2pm EDT, August 15th.

Primary sponsorship of Team Cheever comes from Rachel's Gourmet Potato Chips and The Children's Beverage Group. Rachel's, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is both the manufacturer and distributor of the 9 unique flavors of Rachel's Gourmet Potato Chips and can be contacted toll free at 1-800-730-3700 or at their website www.rachel'spotatochips.com. The Children's Beverage Group (TCGB) is the designer of the rip-it sip-it(tm) straw-in-the-pouch drinking system which began distribution nationwide in 1997. For more information, call TCGB's corporate headquarters at 847-562-4040 or visit their website at www.childrensbeverage.com Secondary sponsors of Team Cheever include Goodyear, Menards, Sony Disc Manufacturing, All Sports Telemetry (AST), Bosch, True Grit Apparel and Pennzoil.