Rookie Robby McGehee brought the #55 Energizer Advanced Formula Dallara/Aurora/Firestone entry home in seventh place in today's Colorado Indy 200 Pep Boys Indy Racing League event at Pikes Peak International Raceway. It was the best finish for the 26-year-old from St. Louis since his fifth-place finish at this year's Indianapolis 500 that earned him Rookie of the Year honors. He started eighth on the grid today after his best qualifying effort of the season on Saturday.
Today's race marked the return of Energizer Motorsports crew chief Steve Fried, who was critically injured in a pit accident at the Indy 500. Fried, normally the right-front tire changer on pit stops, saw limited duty this weekend, operating the fuel valve during McGehee's two pit stops in today's race. He hopes to be back at full strength by the season finale at Texas Motor Speedway Oct. 17. The next-to-last stop on the 1999 Pep Boys Indy Racing League tour -- Round 9 of 10 on the season -- comes Sept. 26 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
ROBBY MCGEHEE -- "Well, we accomplished our main goal of bringing the car home in one piece. We're happy with another top-10 finish. The Energizer Advanced Formula car was great all weekend long. The new (Comptech) motor is known for its reliability and it really makes you feel good to be able to go out there and run with the leaders. I think we're biding our time as a team. We've got all of next year to win races. In the meantime, we're looking to keep pushing ahead. Our progress is coming in baby steps, but it's progress nonetheless."
DAVE CONTI (Team Owner) -- "This was essentially Robby's first (IRL) race on a mile oval and I think he had a strong weekend. It was fairly non-eventful, which has not necessarily been the story of our season so far. To get out of here trouble-free is a real confidence boost for Robby and the guys. We're looking forward the last two races on the bigger ovals."
STEVE FRIED (Crew Chief) -- "Robby and the guys did a wonderful job. It feels good to be back in action, albeit in a limited capacity. This was my goal, to get back out here this weekend. It feels a little depressing to hang back behind the wall and watch the other guys do what I've been doing for so long. But it beats sitting at home and watching on TV."
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