©1998 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc.
Michael Andrettiled the way Friday in the final day of athree-day Goodyear tire test at GatewayInternational Raceway just across the MississippiRiver from downtown St. Louis.
Andretti was joined by Al Unser Jr., and PJ Joneson the 1.27-mile oval Friday as the threesomeprepared for the Saturday, May 23 Motorola 300 atthe Madison, Ill. track. While rain was anoff-and-on companion during Wednesday andThursday sessions, Friday's test was conductedunder sunny skies with temperatures in the low70s.
Andretti pushed his Texaco/Havoline Swift Ford toan unofficial time of 25.9 seconds, 178.594 milesper hour, for the quickest clocking of the threedays. Unser, in his Marlboro Penske Mercedes,timed in at 25.9, 176.525 mph, with Jones' besteffort, in his Castrol-Degree Reynard Toyota, a26.5, 172.528 mph.
"The car has a lot more downforce than the 1997Swift," said Andretti. "It's much more stable andoverall we have made great gains since lastseason. The track at Gateway is good but it hasbumps in turns three and four — otherwise, I likeit."
"I think my win at Homestead (the Marlboro GrandPrix of Miami Presented by Toyota on March 15)has shown that the guys at Goodyear have moved tothe next level. I'm really looking forward toracing here Memorial Day weekend. Of course, I'mreally looking forward to racing next weekend atNazareth (Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix Presentedby Toyota, Sunday, April 26 on ABC-TV, 12:30 p.m.ET). It's always special to race in front of yourhometown crowd. I've got two wins there and it'stime for my third."
The new wing configuration mandated through CARTrules in 1998 has created more drag and lessdownforce for the Champ Cars and slowed the carsabout 1½ seconds from a year ago on the suburbanSt. Louis asphalt.
"This car is good, not only on short ovals but onall tracks," said Unser of the new Penske chassisthat has three races under its belt. "Each timeI'm in the car it seems to be quicker. Goodyearhas the best tires and has done a tremendous jobsince last season. I like racing on short ovalsso I'm really looking forward to this nextstretch of races that includes Nazareth, St.Louis and Milwaukee. It would be super to win atone of these tracks or, even better, to win allthree!"
The trio completed 700 miles of running Fridayfor a total of 1,300 miles for the three-dayperiod. Front straightaway trap speeds averagedaround 205 miles per hour. "This week's test has been very beneficial forus," said Goodyear's Steve Orlando. "We havetested a lot of tires and gained a lot of goodinformation that will help us in short oval racesover the next several weeks. Working with thisgroup of drivers, especially Michael and Albecause of the years of driving experience theybring to the track, has been very beneficial toour program."
Source: CART News Service
