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| | Saturday, October 16 | |||||
| FORT WORTH, Texas -- Al Unser Jr. is likely to soon be
joining the IRL.
Rick Galles, owner of Galles Racing, said the final details are being hammered out for a reunion with Unser, with whom he won the 1992 Indianapolis 500. The pair were together for nearly seven years before Unser went with Roger Penske in 1994.
Unser, meanwhile, is calling it a done deal. He's told people in
Australia, where he's racing in CART's Honda 300, that he's signed
a five-year deal to drive in the IRL with Galles and sponsor
Valvoline.
"I am very exciting about the possibility of Al joining us next
year," Galles said. "We will most likely be prepared to make an
announcement at the end of this month."
Not wanting to divert attention from the season-ending Mall.com
500, Galles said a date for the announcement could come as soon as
Monday. Galles said he'll retain current driver Davey Hamilton in
2000.
Sharp sticking with Kelley Racing Scott Sharp is staying with Kelley Racing. Sharp had been rumored to be joining a Winston Cup team A.J. Foyt is forming next year. Instead, he's re-upped with Kelley Racing through 2001 and sponsor Delphi Automotive Systems also has agreed to stick around that long. "I am looking forward to accomplishing our team's many goals in the years to come," said Sharp, winner of the Kobalt Tools 500 in July. Team co-owner Tom Kelley said he and Delphi would consider moving to Winston Cup if they thought it could be profitable. Although they're researching it, they remain committed to the IRL. "We feel that a long-term relationship with Scott Sharp is in our team's best interest," he said. Delphi also announced an associate sponsorship of the IRL car driven by Mark Dismore, another Kelley racer. Ray, Dismore make peace Sitting together at a post-qualifying news conference, Greg Ray apologized to Mark Dismore for some harsh words uttered after Dismore banged into him at the IRL's last race, in Las Vegas. Dismore prompted Ray's public apology by reminding him that he had something to say. "I was upset when it happened," Ray explained. "I spoke to Mark after the race, we sat down and determined what had happened. We determined it was his spotter's fault. We understand there was no malicious intent in any way on his part." So who is spotting for Dismore on Sunday? "The same guy," he said, laughing. "But he's gotten a lecture." 'Elvis' has left the race track Sam Schmidt's long sideburns are gone and the Las Vegas chapter of Speedway Children's Charities is better off for it. A member of the IRL's official fan organization challenged Schmidt to get a trim. Schmidt turned it into a fundraiser, getting $500 donations from Greg Ray, Scott Goodyear and several other drivers. Schmidt's goal of $3,000 was easily beaten. "I think it's a great cause," he said. Speed bumps ... The first award for best looking IRL car of the year was given Saturday to the Dick Simon Racing No. 7 car driven by Stephan Gregoire, which is designed by noted artist Sam Bass. The main graphic is based on the jet-like icon in the logo of sponsor Mexmil. Colors include red, metallic silver and metallic blue. Greg Ray's car was second and Scott Goodyear's third. ... A Fort Worth couple whose first date was at the June 1997 IRL event at Texas Motor Speedway was married in victory lane following qualifying. ... While 19-year-old Sarah Fisher is getting more attention, Canadian Doug Didero also is making his IRL debut this weekend. Didero, 39, has won numerous supermodified races and track championships in the Northeast and has competed in Busch races and USAC open-wheel events. ... Davey Hamilton is the only driver still running at the finish of all four previous IRL races in Texas. ... TeamXtreme and its driver, rookie John Hollansworth Jr., has donated 30,000 pounds of food to a local food bank. | ALSO SEE Ray's title run will start from Mall.com 500 pole
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