IRL: Eddie Cheever exploring 5-race Winston Cup Program for 2000

Indianapolis, Indiana - 1998 Indianapolis 500 winner and Indy Racing League team owner, Eddie Cheever, Jr., has been interested in seeing his company, Team Cheever, enter into the Winston Cup scene for over a year now. With the window of opportunity closed on pulling together a Top Winston Cup package for 2000, Cheever has shifted his focus to searching for a 5-race driver's contract for next year.

"Our company has been working on this project for most of the year, but we didn't find the right opportunity" explained Cheever. "Team Cheever has a history of running technically strong race programs and we wanted the Cup Program to mirror our commitment to the Indy Racing League. We simply ran out of time."

"For 2000, my participation will be from the cockpit only," continued the Indy 500 winner. "The IROC really gave me a good taste of how exciting this sport can be and I would be very interested in running a 5-race program. I'd love to have the chance to compete at both the Indy 500 and the Daytona 500 next year...two of America's greatest motor races."

"I've discussed the 5-race concept with the folks in NASCAR and they agree that there is a real opportunity there," concluded Cheever. "By aligning with a top multiple car team, I think we'd be able to offer a sponsor a wonderful regional package around which they could build a strong marketing and sales program for their customers and employees."