Pikes Peak Tuesday practice two notes

Some drivers had problems during the practice runs. Bobby Regester had mechanical problems with the fuel pump on his Super Stock Car. He left after attempting two runs.

Bruce Canepa spun his Kenworth truck in the racing groove and then could not get the truck in gear. He was pushed out and drove his truck back down the hill.

Defending Big Rig champion Mike Ryan slid off course at Brown Bush Corner during his third practice run. 'That's a turn I've been working on, trying to get a faster line through there,' Ryan said. His truck went over some moisture from the recent snow. He couldn't control it and skidded off the road. 'It's just another day at Pikes Peak,' Ryan said. He thinks his unplanned off-roading only caused some minor damage to the skid plates and says the truck will be fine for the rest of the week.

Steve Goeglein was right behind Ryan and saw him go off course. On his fourth practice run Goeglein ran into the same moisture and his Super Stock Car took a similar excursion off the road. 'It's a third gear corner. The front wheels got off in the mud and it wouldn't steer,' Goeglein said. His vehicle suffered heavier damage than Ryan's. He said a tree collapsed the right side of his roll cage, so he and his team will have to refabricate it tonight. He also dropped off the bodywork at Gary's Collision in Colorado Springs, where that part of the car will be repaired. He expects to have his refabricated roll cage rejoined with his repaired bodywork early Wednesday morning and he hopes to have everything ready for practice that day.

In other news, PPIHC officials say that Jesse James will race his 'Monster Garage' car, but will not be on hand for practice or qualifying. Three drivers have been listed as scratches from the event: Paul Romano from the Unlimited division, along with Justin Lofton and Rod Moberly from Super Stock Car.

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