IRL: Greg Ray Returns to the Atlanta 500 in his Own Car
16 August 1998
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In Ray's first race with Conseco/A.J. Foyt Racing, he was a favorite to finish on the podium in the Pep Boys 400k at Dover Downs until an accident involving another car took him out of the race prematurely. At the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Ray started from second place, passed Tony Stewart for the lead on the first lap of the VisionAire 500 and held on to the lead for four laps and remained running in the top five until the 100-lap mark. The race ended in disappointment for Ray and the A.J. Foyt team due to transmission problems.
"Through the primary sponsorship of Best Access Systems and the supporting sponsorship from Mitsubishi Forklifts Trucks we hope to provide a strong showing at Atlanta, Texas and Vegas," Ray said. "I am committed to the IRL and we have what it takes and look for a impressive race. I know with the right ingredients I can win races; all I need is someone to sign on the dotted line for '99," Ray concluded.
Ray and the Thomas Knapp Motorsport team will return to the Atlanta Motor Speedway for the August 29 Atlanta 500 Classic in the #97 Black/Dallara/Firestone. Since Ray's front row start at the Indianapolis 500 in May, he has spent his time meeting with potential sponsors, interested individuals and many team owners to determine the final months of the IRL '98 Season and review his '99 IRL plans as well. AT&T Wireless Services provided a one-race sponsorship at Texas Motor Speedway on June 6 and continue to discuss the possibilities of the 1999 IRL Season with Ray. Regardless of any confirmation of a sponsor at this time the plans for Ray and Knapp are to race Atlanta, Texas and the final IRL event on October 11 in Las Vegas.
Best Access Systems, formerly Best Lock Corporation, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is a provider of security systems to industrial, institutional, and commercial companies. Best Access services more than 70,000 accounts nationwide, employs 800 Indiana-based individuals and over 1,300 persons throughout the United States. For further information on Best Access Systems, please contact their offices at 317.849-2250.
Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America, Inc. (MCFA), headquartered in Houston, Texas, is home to over 700 employees dedicated to becoming a premier producer of world-class quality forklift trucks. MCFA provides a full-line of forklifts with complete sales and product support through more than 600 dealer locations throughout the United States, Canada, and Latin America. For further information on MCFA, please contact their offices at 713.365-1000.
For further information on Greg Ray, sponsorships, appearances, or general information, please call Ken Vernon or Kathy Prather, 214.880.7456 or refer to Ray's Web Site at www: gregray.com. For further information on McMann & Tate please refer to their Web Site at www: mcmann-tate.com or call 214.880.7456
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