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Pep Boys IRL 1999 Championship Race Moved to Texas Motor Speedway

2 October 1998

FORT WORTH-DALLAS - The 1999 Pep Boys Indy Racing League season finale 'where the series champion will likely be crowned' will be held at Texas Motor Speedway.

The speedway today announced the 1999 dates for their two Pep Boys Indy Racing League ... the nighttime race will be Saturday, June 12 and the final race of the 1999 Pep Boys Indy Racing League season will be Sunday, Oct. 17.

"Texas Motor Speedway, Pep Boys and the Indy Racing League will team together to build this championship celebration into what we think will be an exciting, career-defining moment for those talented and fortunate enough to win the league title," said speedway general manger Eddie Gossage. "We want to thank Pep Boys and the Indy Racing League for the faith they are clearly demonstrating in awarding this event to us. We will make them proud."

The Pep Boys Indy Racing League has found great success in Texas, drawing crowds second only to the Indy 500. Texas Motor Speedway is the only speedway to host two IRL events.

"We are really looking forward to returning to Texas Motor Speedway for two races in 1999, " said Leo Mehl, executive director of the Pep Boys Indy Racing League. "The fans in Texas have welcomed us with open arms and are truly excited about our style of close, competitive racing. By moving the race to

October, we are hoping for more comfortable temperatures that will be better for both our fans and our drivers."

Pep Boys Indy Racing League driver Greg Ray, who lives in Plano, Texas, was on hand for the announcement. Ray had wanted the final race to be held in Texas and was pleased by the move.

"I'm really excited to see this happen," said Ray. "The fans who come to Texas are great supporters of the IRL and they deserve to see the final race. I understand there were more than 80,000 fans here for the Lone Star 500 in September... I think it's great that many people or more will be here to witness the IRL championship next year."

The speedway is now in the process of booking an Oct. 16 companion event for the championship race weekend.

"We're working on that right now," said Gossage. "We hope to have it wrapped up in the next couple of weeks and we?ll be able to announce our completed schedule for 1999."