IRL Season Opens in Phoenix

On Sunday, March 18, the 2001 Indy Northern Light Racing Series kicks off with the Pennzoil Copper World Indy 200. In qualifying this week, Greg Ray won a record 10th Pole and his third consecutive Pole with a speed of 177.663 mph. Ray, who drives for Team Menard, outran Sam Hornish, Jr., who posted a speed of 176.801 in his Panther Racing machine.

Hornish, who is only 21 years old, posted his best qualifying effort yet, and might have had the Pole but he decided to save the car after he spun in the morning on cold tires and held his speed down. One report stated that he had said he,"chickened out" on his qualifying run.

The race, which has become a part of the entire Copper World weekend of racing, will be televised on ABC television. ABC announced that veteran broadcasters Bob Jenkins and Larry Rice will be joined in the booth by a newcomer, actor Jason Priestly, a long time racing fan. The trio will be joined by reporters Jack Arute and Vince Welch who will be covering the action along pit road for the 2001 season.

ABC also will add several new features to the IRL season broadcast package this year, which should help to enhance the broadcast capability as well as viewer enjoyment at home. Among the changes are lower camera angles, more cars with dual in-car cameras and driver virtual images. This package of improvements should prove to be popular with fans and add a lot to the overall look of the coverage. A new pre-race segment and the popular "Indy Racing 2Day" on ESPN2 prior to the race complete the package. ESPN will also rebroadcast the race during the week following the event.

New technology at Phoenix is seen not only on the television side, but on the track itself, as the new 3.5L Infinity engine makes its debut. Eddie Cheever, Jr. used the new powerplant to hit the fourth fastest practice speed, but prior to qualifying he changed the engine and ended up in 12th place on the starting grid. Robbie Buhl also installed the new engine for qualifying and ended up 8th on the grid. Spokesmen for Infiniti said the major difference between the new engine and the one used last season is in the area of weight. The new engine, which weighs the IRL minimum 320 pounds, is lighter and smaller than the old one.

With new engines, new tracks, new TV coverage and a host of behind the scenes changes, the 2001 IRL season promises to be an exciting and welcome change. Sunday at 4p.m. Eastern time, we'll find out if it meets keeps that promise.

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