IRL: Richmond Thursday notes

David Reininger - Motorsport.com

Jeret Schroeder will drive the Tri Star Motorsports No. 6 this weekend. Jaques Lazier will behind the wheel of the Sam Schmidt Motorsports No. 99

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Donnie Beechler and Sam Hornish Jr. have both competed on the 3/4 mile track at Richmond. In 1996, Hornish finished 19th in the U.S. F2000. Beechler competed in a USAC Silver Bullet race in the mid-1990s but did not qualify for the feature due to mechanical problems.

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While there are only 21 cars entered for Saturday night's SunTrust Indy Challenge, Eliseo Salazar made an important point during a press conference today. "All of them can win," said Salazar.

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High temperatures in Richmond may take its toll on engines and tires this weekend but once the cars reach 150 mph on the track, "it's like having air conditioning after sitting ten minutes in the pits," said Sam Hornish.

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The last Indy-style event on a track less than 3/4 of a mile was on the half-mile dirt oval in 1959 at Williams Grove, Pennsylvania. The race was red flagged due to rain after 13 laps with the win being awarded to Roger Ward.

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At a press conference this afternoon with Sam Hornish Jr., Eliseo Salazar and Scott Sharp, the idea of racing on half mile tracks aroused interest from the three current championship point leaders. The idea of returning to dirt did not, however, appeal to any of them.