IRL: Atlanta Firestone race notes

Greg Ray likes Bruton Smith tracks, and apparently they like him. For the second consecutive year, the Team Menard driver has come to Atlanta Motor Speedway and captured the pole and the win. He drove the final few laps in fuel conservation mode, saying "he was passed by everything but a school bus" and the driver in second place.

Quote from Dwayne Joyner, Bridgestone/Firestone Senior Racing Project Engineer: "It's time to say thank you to those men and women who have worked so hard to make the IRL cars so safe. We witnessed a terrible accident early in the race, with cars hitting the wall and other cars with tremendous force. The fact that most drivers suffered only bruises is a testament to how well these cars are designed and made. We send our best to Dr. Jack (Miller), his team and his family, as he recovers from his injuries. We understand he suffered a concussion and we hope he is back up and running again soon. Away from that, the Firehawks worked well tonight, providing a strong performance all night long. That's important because the tires we used here are the same construction and compound we'll be using at the Indianapolis 500 next month."

Greg Ray, Dallara/Oldsmobile/Firestone: "The tires have been perfect for us all weekend long. We ran 'em with track temperatures as high as 140 degrees and as low as 70 degrees, and we've put as many as 65 laps on a set they were as good on the last lap as they were on the first. This wins gives us a lot of confidence going into Indy. We had a great car all night and the guys really did a great job; all I did was the drive the car."

Team Owner John Menard: "We feel terrific. This validates everything the team has done in working hard, and gives us a lot of momentum going into Indy - and I think that's the best part of this victory tonight. The Firestone tires made it easy for us. And everything was just right, good pit stops, good car, everybody did their job well - and sometimes when that happens you win."

Fisher to visit four Atlanta-area Firestone Tire & Service Centers Walker Racing driver Sarah Fisher will be the special guest at four free Car Care Clinics Sunday and Monday in the Atlanta area. She'll discuss basics of auto care at the sessions, each geared toward the female motorist. Clinic locations and times:

Sun., noon to 1 p.m.: Firestone Tire & Service Center - 2389 Mall of Georgia Blvd., Buford

Sun., 3 to 4 p.m.: Firestone Tire & Service Center - 201-A Perimeter Ctr. Pkwy. NE, Atlanta

Mon., noon to 1 p.m.: Firestone Tire & Service Center - 6143 N. Arbor Place Blvd., Douglasville

Mon., 7 to 8 p.m.: Firetstone Tire & Service Center - 3305 N. Cobb U.S. Hwy 41, Acworth

Race temperatures ranged from 76 to 81 degrees track and from 72 to 74 degrees ambient (Fahrenheit).

-Firestone