MADISON,
IL. (August 25, 2002) - Rayovac Blair Racing driver Alex Barron of
Menifee, Calif. finished third today at Gateway International
Raceway.
With only three races remaining, on the Indy Racing League (IRL)
2002 schedule, the Rayovac Blair team entered the thirteenth race of
the season fifth in the drivers' championship standings. It has been
a year of consistent top-ten finishes that has continued to keep
Blair Racing and its driver, Barron, up front in the eyes of the IRL
fans. In only its first year of IRL competition, the team has one
win and ten top-ten finishes. Barron and the Indianapolis based
Blair team, came prepared and with high hopes to the 1.25-mile oval.
Barron has raced here on three different occasions and a recent test
went well. "We actually had good balance in the car in
qualifying and in practice, but we are off by a few tenths,"
said Barron after his qualifying run; he started 14th for the 200
lap event. "More importantly, for the race you have to have a
solid race car under you. We've worked on our race setup. This is
also a driver's track. From turning the steering wheel to driving
the car, you also have to be able to set up the car. You have to be
able to work with the team and the engineer. It is really tight up
top in the points. Within our team we have a lot of experience here.
We are getting toward the end of the season, and we have a feel for
what you need to do to be strong for the whole race. The Rayovac car
has been running great since the Indy 500, and we are looking to be
up front at the end of the season. You also have to have a strong
motor and strong package. Our Chevrolet and Dallara are working
well, and that is what it takes to win." In today's pre-race
warm up, Barron and the Rayovac machine was powerful, running second
fastest in the 25 car field.
As Barron predicted, he had a good car and was ready for the 250
mile event. On the start, the always ready Barron, moved up from
14th to 11th and quickly into the top-ten and ninth by lap seven.
Barron kept the Rayovac Blair Chevrolet powered machine in seventh
until lap 41 and moved into fifth by lap 51. Running in fourth, the
first regularly scheduled pit stop was made and the Blair team was
spectacular on the stop on lap 61. No changes were made to the well
engineered Dallara and Barron took off for yet another great run.
With the help of his spotter, the Chevrolet power and the Blair team
behind him, Barron began picking off the field. Moving up into
second by lap 111. Barron took the lead on lap 119 with team
cheering him on in the timing stand and pit lane. Barron led until
147, when he stopped again for fuel and tires. He returned to racing
action and on the restart the car drifted up into the gray area of
the track. Losing traction and momentum. But Barron masterly guided
the #44 back into action and charged once again at the field. He
went on to finish third, his best finish at the Gateway
International Raceway.
"I came down and did not want to get into Helio," said
Barron. "We had cold tires and with the debris up high the
front end took off and we lost momentum. We just wanted to get back
up front and take off. We are glad that we ended up third. We need
to keep chipping away at the championship until the end of the
season. We worked all weekend to finish the race and that's what we
did. We had a great car today, our engineer and the team tuned a
great car. The Rayovac car has been strong all year and Blair Racing
continues to do a great job. Chevrolet, Speedway Engines and VDS
gave me one of the most powerful race cars I've ever had. We want to
show Chevrolet how powerful the engine really is. They have worked
so hard to get us where we are. We need to get to the end of the
year and stay focused on the championship.
It was fun today and that's what drivers look forward to. Larry
Blair has put together a great team and he is great to work for. I
want to continue to drive for him - this is his dream and I am
certainly living my dream. We signed a deal with Chevrolet and that
was our breakthrough. Rayovac came on board and we have run
strong ever since. It's great to race when you have power. We have a
lot of great guys on our team that keep pushing hard. This is a
life long dream. I've waited a long time and it took a lot of work
to get here."
The drivers' championship and series comes to an end in only
three weeks. Two races remain, September 8 at Chicagoland Speedway
in Joliet, IL and the final race at Texas Motor Speedway on
September 15. The race is on a 1.5-mile, D-shaped tri-oval. The race
airs live on ABC at 1:00 p.m. (EDT). The fourteenth race of the
season will also air live on the IMS Radio Network. The IRL's
official website can help you locate a radio station near you; it
also has live timing and scoring at www.indyracing.com.
Powerful facts about Rayovac: Rayovac is one of the world's
leading battery and lighting device companies. Rayovac also markets
the number-one selling rechargeable brand of battery in the U.S.
with nearly a 70 percent share. In addition, the company is the
world leader in hearing aid batteries with a 60 percent worldwide
share. Rayovac trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ROV
symbol. Rayovac markets a variety of batteries including alkaline
and heavy duty batteries; lithium coin cells; zinc air hearing aid
batteries; and rechargeable alkaline and nickel metal hydride (NiMH)
batteries and chargers. The company also markets a broad line of
battery-operated flashlights and lanterns. More information about
Rayovac can be found at www.rayovac.com.
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