IRL: Ray runs fast at Homestead-Miami Speedway

Greg Ray ran a lap of 27.32 seconds, 197.6 mph, in a recent private test for Team Menard. It was the fastest lap recorded to date for the Indy Racing Series in preparation for the April 6-8 Grand Prix of Miami.

Ray started six of nine 2000 Indy Racing events from the pole, including the Indianapolis 500. He has 10 career pole positions.

Ray won the 1999 Indy Racing League championship, capping a season in which he won three races, four pole positions, and qualified second (for the second consecutive year) for the Indianapolis 500.

The 34-year-old Texan bettered his time from the opening Indy Racing test on the 1.5-mile oval by half-a-second, running 194.105 on Oct. 27. Joining him at the initial Firestone Tire test was Mark Dismore, who ran 190.476 mph.

Tickets for the April 6-8 Grand Prix of Miami begin at $10 for Friday and $20 for Saturday, with reserved Sunday grandstand seats ranging from $25 to $45. Children 12 and under are free Friday and Saturday and $15 on Sunday. For additional information or to order tickets, call (305) 230-RACE or visit www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com.