Eddie Cheever IROC Results

Cheever finishes Third at Indy IROC Finale

Indianapolis, Indiana - IROC rookie and former Indy 500 winner, Eddie Cheever, Jr., placed third at today's finale International Race of Champions (IROC) race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. With the finish, Cheever ends the four-race invitational Championship in 7th place overall. Today's 100-mile race will be broadcast tomorrow on ABC-TV, Saturday, August 7th from 430pm-530pm EDT, and immediately following the Brickyard 400 Winston Cup race. "This series has been a lot of fun to drive in and I want to thank IROC for inviting me to participate," said Cheever of his rookie IROC season. "It is always an honor to get a chance to race the best in the world and to do it here, at Indy, is very special for me. I hope I will get a chance to participate again." Cheever led the first five laps before being dethroned by Bobby Labonte. Typical of stock car racing, Cheever was engulf by an ensuing train, and yet, holding his own slipped to fourth position behind Labonte, Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon. Four laps later, IROC veteran Mark Martin, having made his way from the back row, took the top spot and led the quadruplet for the rest of the 40-lap race to the checkered flag.

"I tried to bump Mark down early on, but it was impossible," said Cheever of the race. "This type of racing is all about rhythm, grip and drafting and these guys are tough. They really use their bumpers. Owen (Cheever's Chief Mechanic in the Pep Boys Indy Racing League) helped sort me out earlier this week and it looks like all the practice paid of for me. This track means a great deal to me and I gave it my best shot." ." Even with Martin's spectacular run, Dale Earnhardt, Sr. held on to win the 1999 True Value IROC Championship by just one point.. The finale results for the day and the season are as follows:

Championship Finish Race Finish 1. Dale Earnhardt 1. Mark Martin 2. Mark Martin 2. Jeff Gordon 3. Bobby Labonte 3. Eddie Cheever, Jr. 4. Rusty Wallace 4. Bobby Labonte 5. Jeff Gordon 5. Rusty Wallace 6. Kenny Brack 6. Dale Jarrett 7. Eddie Cheever, Jr. 7. Jeff Burton 8. Dale Jarrett 8. Dale Earnhardt 9. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 9. Dave Marcis* 10. Adrian Fernandez. 10. Kenny Brack 11. Jeff Burton 11. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 12. Greg Moore 12. Greg Moore * Substituted for Adrian Fernandez

Eddie Cheever, Jr., and his #51 Children's Beverage Group/ Team Cheever Dallara/Goodyear/Infiniti are currently ranked sixth in the Pep Boys Indy Racing League Drivers Championship, just 35 points from the leader, Scott Goodyear. Team Cheever stands fifth in the overall Team Standings with three races remaining in the 1999 season.