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15.SEP.02
Blair
Racing Finishes 5th in Drivers' Standings, 5th at Texas JUSTIN,
TX. (September 15, 2002) - Rayovac Blair Racing driver Alex Barron
of San Diego, Calif. led, ran at the front all day finishing fifth
today at the Indy Racing League (IRL) season finale at Texas Motor
Speedway. Barron and Blair Racing in its first year of IRL
competition finished fifth in the drivers' standings and fifth in
the entrant standings, unofficially. Also, unofficially Blair Racing
finished second laps completed.
Barron qualified eighth for the 200 lap event that covered 300
miles. 28 drivers started on the 1.5-mile oval, vying for top honors
as the season came to a close after 15 races that raced across the
country. In reflection on today's race, Barron and Blair Racing
predicted today would be a good day for the team. Barron was quoted
as saying that "We have really good race car. I think we're
going to be real strong in the race. We've got a lot of confidence
going into the race."
Barron and Blair Racing were amazing on the track and in the pit
lane for all 200 laps. Starting eighth, Barron moved into fifth on
the first lap and into third by lap seven and second by lap 21. The
race was tight and close for the win and the championship. Barron
and the team had the goal to remain fifth in the drivers' standings.
Barron battled the top runners all day, in the pit lane and on the
track. Barron commanding the Rayovac entry ran in the top-five all
but 45 laps out of 200 laps on the Texas Super Speedway; Barron went
on to finish fifth.
"Great weekend for Blair Racing. We made a break through on
the mile and half oval set ups. The Chevrolet Rayovac car was strong
all day. I want to thank Chevrolet, Rayovac and most of all my boss
Larry Blair. I think we have accomplished a lot this year. As a new
team we excelled. We have a solid crew. Larry put this team together
late but worked hard on assembling the right key personnel. We are
very satisfied with our results; to finish fifth in the standings is
great. Chevrolet came on board mid season picking up the pace when
they came on board in the middle of the season. The entire team has
good pit stops and we work great together. I can't say enough about
our engineer, John Dick; he gives me an incredible car every
weekend. Tom Gloy calls a great race -- we have the power. Bob Sprow
is really solid as a spotter. It would be a nice feeling going into
next season to have some testing under our belts, to have a head
start on this and have the same team and great package behind us.
"We showed as a new team, solid and steady progress,"
said team owner, Larry Blair. "This has been a dream season in
the IRL; the support and strength they give us is great. Today
really brackets a fantastic season and throughout the entire year we
have made continuous and steady progress and improvements. The
strong hallmarks with the fourth place finish at Indy, co-rookie of
the year at Indy, a win at Nashville, the top-10's and top-fives and
ending at Texas Motor Speedway in fifth, wow. This way is just a
fantastic achievement for a new team but an experienced team. As a
new team -- this is amazing." For more information on the IRL,
go to its official website 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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