IRL: Pre-race Indy 500 notes

Eddie Cheever, about to make his 13th Indianapolis attempt today, has announced that he is now sole owner of Red Bull Cheever Racing, thus ending a four and a half year business relationship with Indianapolis native Clyde Perlee. "I first met Clyde through a letter he sent to me," Cheever remarked. "Clyde has become a dear friend. He has been instrumental in the growth of Red Bull Cheever Racing. I will always be grateful for his financial backing; but above all else, he instilled solid business principles and procedures into our team that are now a part of our culture." Said Perlee, "Eddie is a great driver and competitor who brings the same passion and determination he shows on the track to business and all aspects of his life. I will miss working with him, but now I feel it's time for me to pursue other dreams."

This morning's Indianapolis 500 flyover will come in the form of "The Spirit of Washington," a B-2 bomber originating at Whiteman Air Force Base near Kansas City, and piloted by two unnamed pilots, both of whom have flown missions over Afghanistan.

Jason Leffler, 17th place finisher in the 2000 Indianapolis 500, not only won the Hoosier Hundred dirt track race for USAC's Weld Racing Silver Crown cars at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Friday night, but followed the win with another at Worldcom USAC National Midget Car Series at the "Night Before the 500" event at Indianapolis Raceway Park a day later.