IRL: Stevie Reeves to Pagan Racing

STEVIE REEVES JOINS PAGAN RACING

Team owners Jack and Allan Pagan are pleased to announce that two time USAC National Midget Champion Stevie Reeves has been named the new driver of the Pagan Racing Oldsmobile Dallara. The 31 year old Speedway, Indiana native will make his first appearance in an Indy Racing League event Saturday night, July 25th at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

"This was a difficult decision because we had so many talented drivers express an interest in driving for the team," said Pagan Racing co-owner Allan Pagan, "but after careful consideration of all our options we believe Stevie would be a good fit for our effort, and we believe he'll have a great future in the series."

Reeves began his career 24 years ago in the quarter-midget ranks, climbing racing's ladder of success rung by rung, winning thirteen National Midget races on the way to capturing back to back USAC National Midget titles in 1992 and 1993. In 1992, Reeves took the Midget title over runner-up Tony Elliott by a margin of over 100 points.

Reeves has won on all types of tracks from the high banks of Winchester to the flat bullring inside the Hoosier Dome during the "Thunder in the Dome" invitational race. In 1991, Reeves won the midget race during the Copper World Classic held at the one-mile Phoenix International Raceway.

Hoping to make the transition to Indy cars, Reeves found little opportunity or interest and decided to opt for a move to NASCAR and the Busch Grand National Series where he has earned two top ten finishes and a Busch Pole Award at Bristol.

"Indy car racing was what I always wanted to do," said Reeves. "After I won my second midget title in 1993 I tested the Indy car waters but realized that stock cars were going to be my only option. This is an opportunity to fulfill a dream and prove that we belong in this series. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this chance."

Reeves slid into an IRL car for the first time Tuesday night at Atlanta Motor Speedway and needed just 54 laps to complete his rookie orientation.

"Actually I was very comfortable," said Reeves of those first laps. "I ran the same line that I do with the stock car, and since the setup was pretty good I didn't really get a big sensation of speed. I think it's going to be easier for me to get acclimated to these cars than when I made the move to stock cars. Indy cars require finesse, and that suits my driving style."

"Some people are going to wonder why we went with a rookie," added Pagan. "Stevie impressed us with his accomplishments as a driver, not to mention his technical knowledge of the sport. He's paid his dues, and we respect that. The fact that he's already familiar with many of the tracks we run is also a big plus. We'll go to Charlotte in a couple of weeks knowing that he's got several things to learn in theses cars, but I feel confident that we've made the right decision."

Reeves says making his debut in the Pagan Racing Dallara at Charlotte Motor Speedway will be special.

"I love Charlotte. I've got a lot of laps there and know the characteristics of that track. I moved my family to the Charlotte area a few years ago, so in a lot of ways CMS is my home track. Besides Indy, I can't think of a better place to run my first Indy car race.