IRL: Cheever Gateway race notes

Madison, Ill. (August 26, 2001) - Eddie Cheever Jr. finished a hard-fought fourth at Sunday's inaugural Gateway Indy 250 in his #51 Cheever Indy Racing Infiniti. The 1998 Indianapolis 500 Champion was one of only four drivers on the lead lap at the end of the 200-lap event.

Cheever now ranks eighth in the 2001 Indy Racing Northern Light Series point standings with two races remaining in the championship.

Eddie Cheever Jr. (on the race): "It was a horrible day for us. We couldn't get the car working. At the start it got kind of busy. I got squeezed out and knocked back about 30 feet. Owen (Snyder III, Chief Mechanic) did a good job and the crew had some great pit stops but we never had a car that was easy or fun to drive. The racing was good but I'm glad that this place is over."

On the strength of the Infiniti 35A engine: "I was really sad to see Robbie Buhl's number get knocked off the top of the scoring pylon because I thought we had our second Infiniti win of the season. He was running really well."

-CIR