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AIS: Suntana report

For Immedate Release Ft. Collins, Colorado -- Ken Petrie captured the win in the opening race of the season of the American IndyCar Series Saturday at Suntana Raceway, Springville Utah after Jimmy Santos led the first twenty-four laps of ...

Edited: Dec 22, 2003, 6:11 AM

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For Immedate Release

Ft. Collins, Colorado -- Ken Petrie captured the win in the opening race of the season of the American IndyCar Series Saturday at Suntana Raceway, Springville Utah after Jimmy Santos led the first twenty-four laps of the race.

After taking the pole by half a second over Petrie, Bill Tempero started fourth because of the promoter's option to invert the top four qualifiers. Santos, now starting from the front row, took command of the race as Petrie and Tempero battled for second. On lap twenty-four Santos quickly saw his imposing lead disappear as he lost the car going into turn two, spun and stalled. Petrie, taking over the lead, tried to lose Tempero in traffic, however, Tempero stayed within inches of Petrie's gearbox. After numerous attempts by Tempero to pass Petrie on the outside, he suddenly pulled into the pits on lap twenty-five with electrical problems ending his challenge for the lead.

The Salt Lake City fans cheered enthusiastically for hometown favorites including modified racer, Dave Adamson, who used tghe yellow flags to his advantage and worked his way from the back of the pack into the top five. Jaques Lazier, younger brother of Indy 500 winner Buddy Lazier, running in fourth was unable to hold off Adamson's charge, and when Tempero dropped from the race, Adamson suddenly found himself in second, a half lap down from Petrie. With eight laps remaining in the race, the yellow flag flew once again as Santos spun for a second time. Fans were on their feet as the track went green with one lap remaining and the cars sprinted to the checkered. Petrie survived the challenge of Adamson and Lazier finished third.

"I was certainly worried at the beginning of the race as it appeared that Jimmy had us all covered, but the track bit Jimmy and then I was able to run with it," said Petrie.

Two other Salt Lake City drivers were in the field. Bret Decker in the Vision Motorsports Lola after a spin in turn two on lap eleven returned to the race for an eighth place finish. Jeff Nish, whose family has been prominent in racing including land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats, started from row three but was forced to retire from the race with clutch problems.

Petrie will defend his points lead at Race City Speedway in Calgary, Canada, on June 29-30 as the series travels north for its next stop in the schedule.

For Immediate Release

OFFICIAL RACE RESULTS AMERICAN INDYCAR SERIES SUNTANA RACEWAY - JUNE 1, 1996

FP CAR# DRIVER TEAM

1         7        Ken Petre/Parker, Co                Precision Racing
2        18        Dave Adamson/Salt Lake City ,   Ut Streeter Racing
3        33        Jaques Lazier/Vail, Co                Loopehole Racing
4        3        John McDonald/Semi, Ca                McDonald Racing
5        5        Shawn Schmidt/Omaha, Ne                Red Shark Racing
6        21        Ed Eide/Troutdale, Or                E.A.E. Racing
7        28        Joe Simmons/ North Hills, Ca        S.V.S. Motorsports
8        34        Bret Decker/Salt Lake City, Ut        Vision Motrosports
9        25        Jimmy Santos/Sam Mateo, Ca      Jimmy Santos Racing
10        86         Scott Knudsen/Ephrata, Wa        Wells/Van Siclen Racing
11        15        Bill Tempero/Ft. Collins, Co        Bill Tempero Racing
12        48        Dale Buckley/Commerce City, Co        Buckley Racing Ent.
13        2        Jeff Nish/Salt Lake City, Ut        Bill Tempero Racing
14        59        Jim Webb/Van Nuys, Ca                Precision Racing
15        95        Arlon Koops/ Elbert, Co                Precision Racing

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