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Three local drivers make Indy 500 field

Monday, May 13, 2002 | 10:05 a.m.

Three of six Las Vegas-area drivers, led by two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Jr., qualified Saturday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the May 26 Indianapolis 500.

Unser, a part-time Henderson resident, qualified for his 15th Indy 500 with a four-lap average of 229.058 mph. Unser is 12th in the provisional grid.

Jimmy Vasser of Las Vegas qualified at 227.743 mph He was joined by Richie Hearn of Henderson, who qualified at 227.233 mph in the Grill 2 Go Dallara/Chevrolet owned by Sam Schmidt Motorsports. Vasser is 19th and Hearn is 22nd in the provisional lineup.

John de Vries of Las Vegas was the first rookie to attempt to qualify but his warm-up laps were too slow and he did not make an official attempt for the Brayton Racing Team.

During practice and prior to qualifications, Paul Tracy of Las Vegas escaped serious injury in a crash in Turn 2. Tracy suffered abrasions on his knees and heels. The car had heavy damage to the rear and left side and Tracy did not make a qualifying attempt on Saturday.

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