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02.MAR
Blair
Racing Finishes 8th in First IRL Event
Blair
Racing competed today in its first event in the Indy Racing League
(IRL) series. San Diego, Calif. native Alex Barron of Menifee,
Calif. competed in the 25 car field, finishing eighth. Today's race
was the season opener for the 2002 IRL championship that will race a
total of 15 different events, including the Indianapolis 500.
Barron, driving the Chevrolet-powered by McLaren started 19th for
the 300-mile race on the 1.5-mile oval. Today's race is the 20th
Anniversary of the Grand Prix of Miami and the first race in the
15-race 2002 IRL schedule. The Miami weather was unusually cool and
windy as a cold snap blasted the area with temperatures in the upper
40's and severe wind gusts. The wind made qualifying and difficult
for all of the teams; Barron was forced to lift the throttle in Turn
One and Turn Two. However, the young Californian had his eyes set on
Saturday's race and the final results.
Barron quickly moved the Blair Racing #44 into fifth place by lap 31
and into second by lap 32. The crew ran a strategic race working up
to this point over the past two months and the whole race weekend.
Setting up the car, the crew building as a unit and running a smart
race from the pit lane was the order of the day. Barron ran in the
top-five from lap 31 to lap 120 and ran in the top-ten for the
remainder of the race.
"I was hoping for more today (than finishing eighth),"
said Barron. "The team did a really smart race today and that
is why we ended up running and finishing where we did. The team,
Blair Racing is what got us the 8th place finish today. We had a
strong car, handling wise, and no mechanical failures. We just have
to put the final pieces in the puzzle and we'll be right there. We
ran strong today but you always want more. This team has it; the
crew, the set ups and pit stops that's what it's all about. We have
to continue to build on that."
"This is where we left off last year (at Fontana finished 9th),
but we picked up 8th," said team owner Larry Blair. "A new
series and a new team. Tremendous finish. Alex and the whole team
did a fantastic job. We did not have any mechanical failures all
weekend; we had a solid set up, great pit strategy, good stops and
good spotting. My private goal today was a top-ten finish; we did
that. I am enormously proud of Blair Racing. The entire team really
worked together. As a team owner, this sets the stage for me for the
whole year. Today demonstrated that we have a quality team and
driver. We are looking forward to great things from everyone
here."
Blair Racing now prepares for its west coast swing; round two on the
IRL schedule will be at Phoenix's legendary one-mile oval, Phoenix
International Raceway on Sunday, March 17. The race will air on ABC
television network and the IMS Radio Network. Check local listings
for airtimes and actual local channels.
Barron on Phoenix: "Getting some seat time in the car, the
chemistry building; it goes a long way. We want to finish higher at
Phoenix. We want the most and that is what we are striving for. I
want to keep building, working with this team and get Blair Racing
to the front." (Note: Barron raced at Phoenix in Formula 2000
1996.)
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RACE
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