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Friday, June 15
Cheever looks to repeat at Pikes Peak
By Eddie Cheever Jr.
Special to ESPN.com
Pikes Peak International Raceway is a great place for the Indy Racing League to run. Not only is every seat perfect, because you can see all the way around, but the state of Colorado is one of the most beautiful places in the world. I used to live in Aspen and I love coming back to Colorado. The quality of the air is just phenomenal. I wake up in the morning and think Colorado must be the 'air factory' for the entire United States.
This Sunday's Radisson Indy 200 is crucial to the championship. We need to come out of Colorado with a win and a lot of points. Last year we made history at Pikes Peak by scoring the first IRL victory for the Infiniti engine. This year, our goal is not only to repeat at PPIR, but also to earn the first championship for the new Infiniti 35A engine. The season is long enough that it is still feasible for us to do that.
|  | | Cheever made history at Pike's Peak last year. |
At Atlanta in April and at Texas just last weekend, we served notice that the Infiniti 35A would be the motor to beat. We had a good shot at winning at Atlanta, and we would have walked away with the win in Texas if we hadn't punctured a tire. Even after going a lap down, we were back in the top three, going for the victory, with four laps to go.
After what happened at the Texas race, I strongly believe a degree of restraint and modesty from all of the drivers participating in the Indy Racing League would serve us well. You don't want to have every driver on the track thinking he or she is the newly appointed sheriff.
I am hopeful Brian Barnhart will remove all of the hysteria and give us a clear understanding of the rules of engagement on the track. In setting out these rules, he should also make clear what happens if a driver does not adhere to this correct code of conduct.
We were hoping to turn our year around in Texas last weekend, but unfortunately circumstances beyond our control stopped us from doing so. After the strong showing of the Infiniti 35A at Texas, however, all we need to do is execute. That's what everyone at Cheever Indy Racing and Infiniti intends to do this weekend in Colorado.
The Pikes Peak track is very quick, very smooth and very flat. Tires will be critical to success this weekend. The long corners really take a toll on the tires, but our Firestones have performed flawlessly all season regardless of the conditions, and I'm confident they will be very consistent at Pikes Peak.
The high altitude will also play a major role in Sunday's event. You really lose a little bit everywhere -- engine, aerodynamics, driver -- due to the rarified air. If the engine runs out of oxygen, you go slower; if your body runs out of oxygen, you lose your ability to concentrate. The effects of the high altitude don't leave you with much left to win the race if you don't have an effective strategy to combat it all.
As always, the key at Pikes Peak is how your car acts in traffic. These one-mile ovals are like little bullrings, and if you just hiccup, it could cost you a position. Pikes Peak is an incredibly tough track. Over the course of the 200-mile race, you may get five or six shots where if you roll the dice in your favor, the win could be yours. The winner will be the driver who is best able to recognize opportunities and capitalize on them when they come his or her way.
IRL driver Eddie Cheever Jr. owns and drives the No. 51 Cheever Indy Racing Infiniti car. He will be providing a diary to ESPN.com throughout the season. Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
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