IRL: Treadway Racing files two entries for Indy

INDIANAPOLIS, Monday, April 3, 2000 - Treadway Racing filed two entries March 31 for the 84th Indianapolis 500, one of which is a partnership with Vertex Cunningham Racing. 1999 Bank One Rookie of the Year Robby McGehee will drive the #5 Meijer-Energizer Advanced Formula-Mall.com G Force/Oldsmobile/Firestone fielded by Treadway Racing, while no driver was named for the Treadway Racing-Vertex Cunningham Racing entry. McGehee, 26, from St. Louis, is Treadway's full-time driver in the Indy Racing Northern Light Series. He earned Bank One Rookie of the Year honors after finishing fifth in the 1999 Indianapolis 500 while driving for Conti Racing and was the highest-finishing rookie in his first Indy Racing start. Treadway Racing also has entered a backup car for McGehee. Rick Hurford is chief mechanic, and Skip Faul is team manager.

The Treadway-Vertex Cunningham entry is the #55 EPSON G Force/Oldsmobile/Firestone, with a backup also entered. Jamie Nanny is chief mechanic, while Skip Faul is team manager. The team's address is the same as the Indianapolis shop of Treadway Racing. Treadway Racing has been one of the most successful teams at the Indianapolis 500 since the debut of the Indy Racing League in 1996. Arie Luyendyk won the race and PPG Pole for Treadway Racing in 1997, with teammate Scott Goodyear finishing second. Luyendyk won the PPG Pole last year in his final Indianapolis 500 before retiring from Indy Racing. Practice starts May 13 for the Indianapolis 500, with Pole Day May 20. The entry deadline is midnight April 12. All entrants will compete for one of the 33 starting spots in the world's most prestigious auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The posted purse for last year's event was $9,047,150, an all-time motorsports record.

-IRL/IMS-