IPS: Kentucky: Round eight notes, schedule, quotes

WHAT:
Kentucky 100, eighth race in 12-race 2004 IRL Menards Infiniti Pro Series season.

WHERE:
Kentucky Speedway, 1.5-mile asphalt tri-oval

WHEN:
3 p.m. (EDT), Saturday, August 14

DISTANCE:
67 laps/100 miles

CARS:
Dallara chassis; Infiniti V8 engines; Firestone tires

PREVIOUS RACE WINNERS:
2003 -- Jeff Simmons; 2002 -- A.J. Foyt IV

TV:
ESPN2, 6 p.m. (EDT), August 14

SCHEDULE: (all times local; subject to change)

Friday, August 13
8:30 a.m. -- Garages open
10:30-11:15 a.m. -- Menards Infiniti Pro Series practice
1:15-1:45 p.m. -- Menards Infiniti Pro Series practice
3:30 p.m. -- Menards Infiniti Pro Series qualifying

Saturday, August 14
11:45 a.m.-12 p.m. -- Menards Infiniti Pro Series warm-up
3 p.m. -- Kentucky 100 Menards Infiniti Pro Series race (67 laps/100 miles)

PRE-RACE QUOTES:

PAUL DANA (No. 91 Hemelgarn 91 Johnson Motorsports Dallara/Infiniti/Firestone): "We tested at Kentucky earlier this year, and it's a lot smoother than last year, so speeds will be up. We've proved that the Ethanol car is fast on the 1.5-mile ovals. We had a great finish in Milwaukee but made some mistakes in Michigan. We'll look to eradicate those and get back up front. We feel very confident as we head to Kentucky."

ARIE LUYENDYK JR. (No. 25 AFS Racing Dallara/Infiniti/Firestone): "This is the only track where I've actually driven an IndyCar Series car. I tested here in October of 2002, so in that sense, Kentucky holds some significance for me. This is a great track to race at. It's really wide, which leads to side-by-side racing. Last year, it was extremely bumpy, which affected my car, but I've heard they've done some work to it, so hopefully that will lead to some good side-by-side racing."

THIAGO MEDEIROS (No. 11 Sam Schmidt Motorsports Dallara/Infiniti/Firestone): "Kentucky is another speedway where there will be some very close racing. We know going in that we'll have a good setup for the weekend. We're still fighting for the championship, which is one reason we didn't push too hard in Michigan. We're looking to get the maximum number of points every time out."

JESSE MASON (NO. 3 Brian Stewart Racing Dallara/Infiniti/Firestone): "I look forward to every race I am in, and Kentucky is no different. Coming off a disappointing weekend at Michigan, I am even more eager to get into the car again. I see the Kentucky race as another opportunity to gain greater success and potentially score my first win in the Menards Infiniti Pro Series. Kentucky is a 1.5-mile track, a length we have struggled on this year. However, I have a very good team behind me and am confident that we can get past our recent disappointments and work hard to be considered a threat for the victory."

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