IRL: Indianapolis Infinite notes 99-05-15

INFINITI INDY INSIDER *Daily Report From the 1999 Indianapolis 500*

In Speedway, Indiana at 10:30 a.m. this morning, Tom Carnegie, in his 54th year as the voice of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, announced the opening of the track for the 83rd running of the Indianapolis 500. Three Infiniti Indy-powered cars took to the track, with Eddie Cheever Jr. posting the fastest lap of the day for Infiniti.

Cheever was the sixth car out after practice started at 11:00 a.m. local time. At 12:05 p.m. he recorded a lap of 221.888 mph, and was fastest of the day until 2:34 p.m. when Greg Ray took over the position. Cheever, who did not go on track in the cooler temperatures of "happy hour" (from 5 to 6 p.m.), ended up eighth fastest of the day.

Rookie Jeret Schroeder ran 31 laps today recording the 22nd fastest lap with a speed of 218.648 mph. Scott Harrington did not even get to full speed, running four laps before suffering from an engine failure.

Practice will be televised live tomorrow (Sunday, May 16) from 5 to 7 p.m. eastern time on ESPN2. A live timing and scoring feed is also available on the www.indyracingleague.com web site.

Daily Practice -- Speed Summary

1. Greg Ray, 225.887 2. Arie Luyendyk, 225.163 3. Scott Goodyear, 224.405 4. Sam Schmidt, 224.394 5. Kenny Brack, 222.910 6. Buddy Lazier, 222.866 7. Jeff Ward, 222.096 8. Eddie Cheever Jr., 221.888 (58 laps) 9. John Hollansworth, 221.811 10. Billy Boat, 221.724 22. Jeret Schroeder, 218.648 (31 laps) 36. Scott Harrington, 110.648 (4 laps)