IRL: Cheever Gateway Friday notes

Madison, Ill. (August 24, 2001) - 1998 Indianapolis 500 Champion Eddie Cheever Jr. clocked a fast lap of 26.9898 seconds during the opening practice for Sunday's inaugural Indy Racing event at Gateway International Raceway. Cheever, who captured the first victory for the new Infiniti Indy 35A engine at Kansas City in July, toured the 1.25-mile oval at a top speed of 166.730 mph in his #51 Cheever Indy Racing Infiniti.

Note: Indy Racing drivers were afforded only one 30-minute practice session after intermittent rain forced the cancellation of morning track activities.

Eddie Cheever Jr. (on Friday practice): "We've made some improvements on our car since we tested here a month ago but it is still uncomfortable in Turns 3 and 4. Once we get that right, we'll be okay."

On car set-up at Gateway International Raceway: "You want to balance the car with the least amount of downforce in order to be quick on the very long straightaways, and the key is going to be carrying as much speed as you can - without losing your balance - into Turn 1. That's going to be our biggest challenge. During the race, the question will be whether you can outbrake somebody on the inside, carry the car in deeper, and just focus on the pass because inevitably the corner will be finished. You have to just shuffle through and hope not to collect the other driver or car."

-CIR