IRL: Cheever Richmond Thursday practice

Richmond, VA (June 28, 2001) - Eddie Cheever Jr. ran solidly in the top three during the first day of practice for Saturday's seventh round of Indy Racing Northern Light Series competition, the SunTrust Indy Challenge at Richmond International Raceway. Cheever, the 1998 Indianapolis 500 Champion, toured the tight, 0.75-mile track at 160.805 mph (16.7905 seconds) in his #51 Cheever Indy Racing Infiniti.

Eddie Cheever Jr. (on Richmond International Raceway):  "The Richmond track
is like nothing we've ever raced at before.  It's very short, very busy, and
the traffic is intense.  It's incredibly demanding both physically and
mentally.  Everyone is a rookie here, and it's going to be a very difficult
race for the engineers.  Richmond is a new proving ground for everyone."

On Thursday's practice:  "The engine we tested with here in April was a
different spec than this one.  This one has more bottom end and I'm happier
coming off the corners.  At the end of the second session we ran with full
tanks to get a head start on Saturday.  Overall, it was a pretty good day."

k-CIR