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Race Report – PEAK Antifreeze Indy 300
 With
temperatures in the 90s, the action was even hotter in the PEAK Antifreeze Indy
300 at Chicagoland Speedway Sunday afternoon. A.J. Foyt IV ran competitively in
the ABC Supply Chevy/Dallara to finish 11th, narrowly missing a third straight
top-10 finish for the team.
"The car was alright all day," said Foyt IV, who started 14th. "We made little
adjustments on it throughout the race. When everyone would get jumbled up into
one pack, it was hard to go around people because everyone was trying to do the
same thing. I'm glad we had a strong run because we were competitive all day but
I‘m disappointed that we didn't get a top ten."
The race had to be red-flagged on lap 29 following a terrifying three-car
accident involving Ryan Briscoe. Going through turn three, Briscoe slid up into
Alex Barron, vaulted across his front wheel and launched into the air. His car
then hit the wall and the impact broke it in two and burst into flames. Luckily,
the tub remained intact as it skidded to a halt. Kosuke Matsuura's car became
involved as he tried to avoid the debris littering the track.
Both Barron and Matsuura walked away but Briscoe, who was alert and conscious,
was taken to the hospital where he was diagnosed with two broken collar bones
and a bruised lung.
Despite the spectacular accident, the racing continued to be hotly contested
until the checkered fell. Dan Wheldon edged out Helio Castroneves and Sam
Hornish Jr. to win his sixth race of the year. That victory clinched the IRL
IndyCar Series championship for the young Briton, his first ever. It was the
second straight title for the Andretti-Green race team.. Rounding out the top
five were Tomas Scheckter and Tony Kanaan.
The IRL IndyCar Series makes its debut at Watkins Glen International the weekend
of September 25th. The race will be televised live that Sunday on ABC-TV
starting at 3:30 p.m.
NOTES & QUOTES: PEAK Antifreeze Indy 300
A.J. Foyt IV: No. 14 ABC Supply Dallara/Chevrolet/Firestone
A.J. Foyt IV on Chicagoland: "I expect to run good here because we ran
good last year for most of the day. I'm hoping for a top five and I believe
we'll at least be able to come home with a top 10. The biggest thing is to be
patient for three-quarters of the race so you're in position for a good finish
in the last 50 laps."
Old Friends: Donnie Beechler, who finished fifth in the IRL IndyCar race
at Chicagoland Speedway when he drove for Foyt Racing in 2001, returns this
weekend to visit the team and renew acquaintances in the IRL IndyCar Series.
Beechler, who has several successful businesses in his hometown of Springfield,
Illinois, has backed off his driving career in recent years.
Past Performance at Chicagoland: In 2004, Foyt IV posted his career best
qualifying run of sixth. He was headed for a top-10 finish but the right rear
halfshaft broke. His car shot to the wall, collecting rookie Mark Taylor.
Neither driver was injured. In 2003, Foyt IV struggled with handling problems in
the early part of the race, but adjustments on the pitstop allowed him to run
competitive lap times. Towards the end of the race, a problem with the sway bars
developed and he fell back to 17th place. A.J. IV won the Infiniti Pro Series
race at Chicagoland Speedway in 2002.
Illinois Ties: Dan Brown, former crewman for Foyt Racing, returns this
weekend to help out. Brown returned to his hometown of Tinley Park, Ill. last
winter to help out his family when his father became ill. He also worked with
the team at Milwaukee and Indy. "I miss the racing and I really enjoy coming out
to work with the guys when I can," said Brown.
At Infineon Speedway two weeks ago, Jeff Bucknum subbed for A.J. Foyt IV
in a one-off drive. Bucknum qualified 17th and finished 10th in just his third
IndyCar start and first ever IndyCar start on a road course. It was the ABC
Supply/Foyt Racing team's third top-10 finish of the season.
The PEAK Antifreeze Indy 300 will be televised live Sunday afternoon at
1:30 p.m. Eastern time on ABC-TV. |
