Racing Reconciliation Viewed

Fri., May 9, 1997

Compiled From Wire Services

The door is open, if only slightly, for a reconciliation next year between competing Indy-car factions at the Indianapolis 500.

With the speedway-backed Indy Racing League preparing to run its second 500 on May 25, and Championship Auto Racing Teams getting ready to race Sunday in Brazil, IRL officials said that their 1998 rules will be divulged May 16.

There has been rampant speculation that the changes will enable CART teams to enter the race they contested prior to 1996. CART pulled out when the Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced that 25 of 33 starting positions last year would go to regulars of the fledgling IRL.

New cars, new engines, no problem. Arie Luyendyk still is the head of the class at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Luyendyk, one of only two former Indianapolis 500 winners entered this year, has been the fastest driver on each of the three days since practice opened for the May 25 race.

His fast lap of 217.238 mph was well short of the 220.297 he posted Wednesday, but was still considerably quicker than the 215.822 posted by Tony Stewart, the second-quickest driver.

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Racing Reconciliation Viewed

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

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