HOMESTEAD,
Florida. (March 2, 2002)-- 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.)
The week following Phoenix, Blair's Indianapolis based team heads
north to Southern California's fast two-mile oval, California
Speedway. Barron raced for Blair on the Fontana track, running in
the top-ten for over 90 laps and leading the event. The broadcast
will air on the ESPN television network and on the IMS Radio
Network. Check local listings.
You can also check the IRL's official website, at
www.indyracing.com for more information, live timing and scoring.
TEAM
NEWS