The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 165

mm til IN ST i 1 i- a i 4 MILLER Continued from Page 1 Night Before The 500 turns into real winner for Kahne I i 1" IS -J I I I I 11'' pfcxg, j. who obviously has a passion for what he does and loves to talk about it. But, unlike some drivers who complain about the attention and media demands of their profession, Greg couldn't be a better representative. Good or bad day, he always faces the press. Wednesday on Community Day, he signed autographs for two hours until his line of 400-plus people had run its course.

The sponsors, fans and media are part of our story," said the 1999 IRL champion. "When that many people are waiting in line, you show them respect and stick around until they're all happy." Three years ago, nobody knew Greg Ray from H.H. Gregg. But he nearly stole the pole in '98 driving for a shoestring operation. That earned him a ride with John Menard in '99 and now he's primed to deliver the prize that's always eluded Menard.

"Greg has always been very fast and he's become a pretty heads-up driver," said A.J. Foyt, who hired Ray for a couple of races in '98. "I think he knows how hard he can run and doesn't need to lead every if i Beast-Performance Racing IndustryFord. He finished second, but was disappointed about the ease of Kahne's victory. "If you can make it quick for one lap, you should be able to make it for 50," said Newman, 22, of South Bend, Ind.

"When you're the fastest time, you've got no excuses." Newman qualified fastest at 117.220 mph, turning a lap on the paved oval in 21.068 seconds. And he needed just three laps to take the lead. But that lasted until lap 10 as Kahne's teammate Dave Darland, of Kokomo, sped ahead. Dar-land's car broke down six laps later, enabling Kahne to take control. While he may be a new name on the national circuit, Kahne proved he could win earlier this year with three consecutive victories in USAC's Western Midget Series.

The last driver to do that was Billy Boat, who has since gone on to sit on the pole at the Indianapolis 500. Before the main feature, Aaron Justus, of Crestline, won the 50-lap U.S. Formula 2000 series event, the first time the circuit has raced at IRP since 1996. By Phillip B. Wilson STAFF WRITER CLERMONT, Ind.

Kasey Kahne kept thinking he was going to see Ryan Newman in the later laps of Saturday's 55th Night Before The 500 at Indianapolis Raceway Park. As it turned out, Kahne was too strong and Newman a three-time IRP champion and local favorite from Purdue University encountered tire trouble. The two finally got together, on the award podium, after Kahne cruised to a 6.18-second win, his first nationally, in the 50-lap United States Auto Club National Midget Car Series event. "The car was just awesome and I just tried to keep on it," said Kahne, 20, of Enumclaw, Wash. "I found a line I liked and it seemed to work.

I kept thinking I heard (Newman) every once in a while." Not hardly. Newman, who won this race in 1999 and 1997, said a tire stagger change prevented his No. 39 C.E. Lewis RacingBraytonDrinan machine from keeping up with Kahne's No. 91 Wynn's-Ford-ASE- 1 1 1 il- 1 i i Grie is ib criy laca yoa.caii purchase cfflcial Pacers faceplzlcs fcr ycirr Kokia 51G0 senejs prna.

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"You can't be afraid of what life has to offer. A lot of people become bitter because they don't get to live their dreams." You can catch Ray's continuing odyssey today at 11 a.m. He'll be the one at the head of the pack with No. 1 on his car. Just like he envisioned nine years ago, at 2 in the morning.

Robin Miller is the auto racing writer for The Indianapolis Star. You can contact him by calling (317) 624-4636 and entering 7165 or by e-mail at: rmillerstamews.com Available at participating WALMART RACE TEAMS WELCOME Also available at: MasterCom MVP WIRELESS and other participating agent locations CALL 1-800-669-7827 ext. 9211 TO SUBSCRIBE! The Indianapolis Star I a mm wmm mm OvilLi. Vte: -mumm Itfi i Mf Lz- lXZj I I B900-24-0092 Indy Cycle Ski 5025 N. Post Road Indianapolis, IN 46226 www.worldwidemotorsports.com Offn in S.

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