Drivers give thumbs up

Bob Cloud

Wednesday, June 26, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

At long last the Las Vegas Motor Speedway has opened for business, at least unofficially.

Indy Racing League drivers and crews began tire testing Tuesday in preparation for the speedway's maiden event, the Las Vegas 500k on Sept. 15. It was a day of caution all around, as 11 drivers and 10 cars took relatively tentative tours around the 1 1/2-mile tri-oval to gauge just what the track has to offer.

Scott Sharp turned in an early-morning effort of 204.732 mph in one of A.J. Foyt's Lola-Fords, which proved to be the fourth-best speed of the day. He said the LVMS should provide drivers with some unique racing opportunities.

"It's fabulous," said the former Trans-Am champion and co-champ of the IRL's inaugural three-race mini-season. "I'm really excited. It's going to be a great track, one which should prove to be very fast. I think there'll be room for side-by-side racing almost all the way around the track, and I think we're all happy about that."

Roberto Guerrero, who took home opening-day speed honors with a top lap of 207.557 mph in the heat of afternoon, said he, too, came away from his initial encounter with the speedway suitably impressed.

"We're not trying to be fast right now, we're just feeling (the track) out," Guerrero said. "It's going to be very fast. The track is great. It's very smooth, and it's going to be good to race on because there are plenty of places to pass. You can take many different lines through the corners."

Guerrero and Sharp were two of six drivers to break the 200 mph barrier Tuesday. Others included Team Menard's Tony Stewart (206.928), 1996 Indianapolis 500 champion Buddy Lazier (204.786) of Hemelgran Racing, Team Menard's Mark Dismore (204.615) and PDM Racing's John Paul Jr. (202.520). Stewart and Dismore turned the trick in the same car, Dismore's Lola-Menard V6.

"We're still trying to get the aero(dynamics) balance down, and once we do we'll be able to get more speed," Stewart said. "So far we're really happy. We've got a lot more things to try, but it was the first day and we got through safely, so we're pleased."

Stewart predicted speeds will show a marked increase over the next few days, as driver comfort rises and rubber is put down on the racing surface, providing more grip.

"As time goes on, we'll get more cars on the track and it will start to tack up," said the former USAC short-track ace, who also is pursuing a NASCAR career. "The one thing that is already obvious is that you can get out on this track and run. You can find a good racing groove in many different places."

The only area of driver concern centered on water marks on the track surface. Water used to cool the asphalt during the paving process left behind areas of discoloration, while also ingraining small amounts of sand and dirt into the track.

"For me, the toughest thing with this track is that there are those spots which look wet and dry," said Dismore. "You know it's not wet, but it still looks like it is. It's hard to get a good definition of the race track and where I want to be.

"Really, it's just because the surface is so new. As the track is used, the marks will go away. Hell, I've raced at night when I couldn't see the track. This is nothing."

Otherwise, Tuesday was a fun day for the drivers, and perhaps no one enjoyed it more than Paul. The easy-going veteran apparently couldn't get enough of the track, circling the tri-oval a session-high 57 times.

"I just wanted to get a good sight line in my mind today," he said. "Historically, I do better after a night to think about it. It seems I'm always able to come back the next day and turn it up a bit.

"As a driver, you tend to doubt your ability a little while when you come to a new place and have to start from scratch. But, after a few laps, it starts to become more and more comfortable. That was especially true today. I was able to feel pretty good almost right away."

IRL testing continues today, including the inaugural National Media Day activities for the LVMS.