Pennzoil Race Report
Indy Racing League
Walt Disney World 200
Orlando, Fla.
Fuel pressure ended Roberto Guerrero's race Saturday relegating the Pennzoil Pagan Dallara to 17th position in the Indy Racing League's first race in the 1997 calendar year at Walt Disney World Speedway. Guerrero completed 56 of the 200 scheduled laps before withdrawing from the race.
Eddie Cheever was declared the winner when the race was stopped on lap 149 because of rain.
Guerrero started in 17th position because his Nissan race engine arrived late Friday afternoon prohibiting Guerrero from taking part in any practice or qualifying sessions. The Pennzoil crew worked until 11 p.m. on Friday installing the engine. The IRL allowed Guerrero to run about 10 laps Saturday before the race.
Roberto Guerrero
"We didn't expect a lot of this weekend. The chassis wasn't really working. It was pushing like crazy in turns one and two and in turn three it didn't feel very good. The car was just a handful. I really couldn't tell too much about the new chassis and engines because our car was working so bad. I think we have a good formula, it's just that I couldn't tell today."
John Barnes- Crew Chief
"We learned what not to do today. This gave us a good idea on the kind of spring platform the car likes. Whenever you have new car you start as conservative as possible. We did that today, but I think when we go to Phoenix we will have a much better set-up spring wise and shock wise. This is just all part of the process of learning about a new car."
