IRL: Eddie Cheever Dover Qualifying Report

DOVER DOWNS QUALIFYING NOTES July 31, 1999

Eddie Cheever, Jr. Team owner/driver #51 The Children's Beverage Group/Team Cheever Dallara/Goodyear/Infiniti

Eddie Cheever qualified his #51 Children's Beverage Group/Team Cheever Dallara/Goodyear/Infiniti nineteenth during today's MBNA Mid-Atlantic 200 Qualifier. Cheever clocked the 1-mile high-banked concrete oval in 20.339 seconds at an average speed of 177.009 mph.

"After this morning's practice, the engine just didn't feel right, so we changed it out prior to Qualifying. I think we made the right decision. We've had the same problem the past two or three races, where we are running really well in traffic (Cheever was second fastest in Practice yesterday), but not when we are by ourselves. I'm quite baffled. We are running the minimum amount of downforce we can run here, so we're really not sure why we continue to fall off in qualifying trim. Starting from the back of the pack is like being bankrupt and having to regain your fortune all over again. Though Dover is not the best place to start from the back, it's a long race. We'll be fine."

"In my opinion, Dover is where the Championship will be decided. If you can come away from here with a handful of points, you'll be in good shape for the rest of the season. This is one of the hardest series I have ever raced in because the competition is so consistently close race in and race out. "

Currently ranked fourth in the drive for the Championship with 149 points, Cheever is only 31 points from leader Scott Goodyear (180), ten from Scott Sharp (159) and an extremely slim four point margin from third place Jeff Ward (153). Team Cheever is ranked third in the overall Team Standings.

The MBNA Mid-Atlantic 200, round 7 of the 10-race Pep Boys Indy Racing League series, will be televised, tape delayed, on the Fox Television Network at 3pm EDT on Sunday, August 1st.