IRL: Drivers test at Texas

FORT WORTH-DALLAS (September 6, 2001) - The initial test session on the repaved Texas Motor Speedway Thursday resulted in predictions of even better competition for the Chevy 500 Indy Racing Northern Light Series event on Sunday, September 16.

The test session included Jaques Lazier in the Menard Dallara/Oldsmobile, Airton Dare in the 1-800-BAR-NONE G Force/Oldsmobile and Jeff Ward and Johnny Herbert sharing driving duties in the Heritage Motorsports G Force/Infiniti.

"The new surface is excellent," said Johnny Rutherford, head of special projects for the Indy Racing League who was observing the test session. "It is so smooth, the competition should be even better than past Texas races."

Unofficial speeds approached 216 mph during the session, faster than Mark Dismore's 215.508 mph pole for June's Casino Magic 500 at Texas. Ward and Lazier posted speeds in this range during the test.

Lazier captured his first Indy Racing victory last Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway in his second drive for Team Menard. Herbert, winner of three Formula One races in his career, will make his Indy Racing debut in the Chevy 500. Heritage will mark its first use of Infiniti power in Herbert's car in the race. Ward shook down the G-Force/Infiniti before Herbert took over.

Tickets for the Chevy 500 and all RPM Week-Texas events are on sale daily at the speedway ticket office, by calling (817) 215-8500, online at www.texasmotorspeedway.com and at Ticketmaster locations.

-tms