bob jennings' WORLD O' RACING 12/22/99
Tony Stewart prepares to practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 16, 1999
Bob Jennings
I'm excited that Al Unser Jr. is really coming to the Indy Racing League next season. I'm especially excited about the prospects of seeing Little Al make his return to the "Indianapolis 500." What would make things even more exciting would be for Tony Stewart to change his mind and decide to come back in May for his fifth "500" start. I can't think of anything I'd like better than to see Al Unser Jr. and Tony Stewart go up against each other in the 84th "Indianapolis 500."
Chip Ganassi is also coming to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway next May with Target sponsored IRL cars. He's bringing 1999 CART Champion Juan Montoya and 1996 CART champion Jimmy Vasser. I wish Tony Stewart were going to be here. Can you imagine the potential intensity of a fight between Tony Stewart, Al Unser Jr., Juan Montoya, Greg Ray, Eddie Cheever, Scott Goodyear, Buddy Lazier, Mark Dismore, Jimmy Vasser, Robby Gordon and who ever Roger Penske brings next May? That would be something - a classic for the "Indianapolis 500" to usher in the 21st century.
Sadly, Tony Stewart isn't likely to change his mind about coming to race in the "Indianapolis 500" in May 2000. Right now he's the hottest thing on four wheels, only Tony's four wheels have fenders and looks like a Pontiac Grand Prix. In fact, Tony and his partners at Tri Star Motorsports tested with Jeret Schroeder at Walt Disney World Speedway recently, in preparation for the 2000 Indy Racing League season. I still think Tony Stewart has an "Indianapolis 500" win in his future, but it's more into the future than I would like.
Oh well thank goodness! Little Al really is coming back next May.
Last night I was at an Indiana Pacers game at Conseco Fieldhouse, in which the Pacers (16-9) beat the Seattle Sonics 113 - 103. During halftime, one of the local television stations did a quick live sports update from the basketball court and it was shown on the large video screen on the main scoreboard. One of the stories had to do with Unser Jr. testing in an Indy Racing League G Force at Phoenix. Apparently my earlier concern about Little Al coming to the IRL was without merit. Good!
How do you like the photo on this page? It was getting later in the afternoon of the second day of practice for the "500" last May 16, exactly two weeks before the 83rd "Indianapolis 500." It was around 4 PM and the afternoon light was at a good angle for deep color when I took this shot.
The reason I selected this photo over other similar photos taken in the same sequence was because I like the image of the video photographer in a hurry to get somewhere after shooting some footage of the number 22 Home Depot Dallara as Tony Stewart was preparing to take to the track. The running video man adds motion to the photo, sort of an extra sense of urgency to the scene.
I love walking the pits during "Indianapolis 500" practice and taking photos like the one on this page. The pits are too busy during qualifications and you can't get as close to the cars. On Carburetion Day, the teams are all working from their assigned spots for race day and they have their race gear set up and the pits are crowded. You can't step over the wall on "Carb" day like you can during practice. Doing this particular thing, shooting photos from the pits during "500" practice, is one of the things I like doing most each year. On a freezing cold, January afternoon with Winter sunlight shining and frigid winds blowing through bare trees, I can take a momentary escape by thinking about May afternoons and walking the pits at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, looking for close up photos.
Greg Ray, Tony Stewart's successor on the Menard team, turned the fastest lap at 225.887 mph on the opening day of practice. The pace of "500" practice in the current one week format is fast. 40 cars were on the track on the day this photo was taken, running a combined total of 1,738 laps.
Billy Boat, Stewart's USAC contemporary, crashed in the first hour of practice, hitting the outside wall in turn one, in one of A.J. Foyt's Dallaras. This would be the beginning of an accident filled week at the Speedway for Boat. Off the top of my head, I'm trying to recall how many times Billy crashed last May at the Speedway. I think it was three times.
Stewart took to the track for the first time in his new Dallara number 22 about 1:45 PM. In his new role as a car owner, Tony appeared to take the conservative approach with his new car. At the end of the day, he was seventh fastest with a best lap at 222.091 mph. Greg Ray topped the speed list again at 225.124 mph. Ray was followed in order by Arie Luyendyk (224.674), Ray in another of his three Menard Dallaras at 224.411, Scott Goodyear (222.750), Scott Sharp (222.288), Kenny Brack (222.288), Stewart, Jeff Ward (221.948), Sam Schmidt (221.697) and Eddie Cheever (221.582).
Later in the week, on Wednesday May 19, Stewart had a lap at 226.683 mph, which was the fastest lap of "500" practice to that time. That lap placed Tony in a tie with Arie Luyendyk, who turned the same speed in early morning practice on Pole qualifying day, for third fastest speed of May 1999. Greg Ray had the first, second and fifth fastest laps, during "500" practice, in each of his three Glidden Menard cars, at 227.192, 227.175 and 225.468 mph respectively.
Stewart's May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway took a downturn on Thursday May 20, when he pushed into the wall coming out of turn four during a late afternoon practice run. After that, he traveled between Charlotte, where he was running "The Winston," and Indianapolis. Stewart was the first "500" qualifier at 220.653 mph and started the race 24th on the grid. On race day he finished a lackluster ninth, four laps off winner Kenny Brack's pace.