IRL: Treadway' Racing's View of Orlando!

Treadway Racing's View of the Walt Disney World Speedway

Indianapolis, IN: It's race time again as teams and drivers head toward the warmer climate of Orlando, Florida to participate in round one of the 1999 Pep Boys IRL Championship. Treadway Racing is loading up their two-car effort and making final preparations for the 200 lap race held at the Walt Disney World Speedway this Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. (EST). Treadway's racing stable is a combination of race veteran down to rookie-each with their own unique view of Disney's impressive one-mile tri-oval.

Around the Track with Arie Luyendyk:

"Disney is a tight but fun track. The car has to be working really good to have fun though. Turn one is a really challenging corner to find speed in, but if you can, and can come through it well, it will help you down the backstraight. Turn two is really different from any other corner on any other oval I have driven. It is kind of an optical illusion. The visual is that the track seems uphill and then falls down. It seems like an elevation change but it isn't. It fits the track well because it feels like a theme park ride. It is a very tricky corner and it is critical to get it right. You almost have to set your car up differently to get through it, so you have to compromise a bit on which turn you want to run the quickest through. Turn three has gotten a bit bumpy over the years and you get a lot of kick back in the steering wheel. You really can't take it too lightly even though it is a smooth, wide-open turn. It really is a fun track, but challenging-you are always busy no matter where you are on the track."

Noteworthy: Arie Luyendyk will not be driving in this race, but will act as driver coach and sponsor spokesperson for Treadway Racing.

Sam Schmidt's Perspective: #99 Sprint PCS/G-Force/Aurora/Firestone

"I really like the track. It makes for very exiting racing with the three-corner format. It tends to keep drivers very busy. Orlando requires a bit more technical ability to set the car up effectively to handle the three very unique corners. It requires a lot of balance, which makes setting the car up, a challenge. Turn one is the most important because if you are going to pass on the backstraight, you need to get through turn one effectively. However, balance factors in, because if you are getting through one well, the odds are that turn two will be terrible!"

Noteworthy: Sam Schmidt was the winner of the first race ever held at the Walt Disney World Speedway in an FF2000 entry.

Jason Leffler's Perspective: #5 Treadway Racing/G-Force/Aurora/Firestone

"You are definitely on the gas a lot more in an IRL car as opposed to a Silver Crown car, but you do run the same line on the track. The good spots on the track for an IRL car are generally the same for Silver Crown. Turn one is definitely the key to getting good lap times. In a Silver Crown car you tend to diamond the corners more. The IRL car requires a nicer, smoother arc. Turn two is pretty hairy no matter what you are in, but the elevation changes make a bigger difference in the IRL cars." Noteworthy: Jason Leffler will also be running the Coors Light Silver Bullet Series race this weekend in addition to the featured IRL race. Leffler holds the 1998 USAC National Midget and Silver Crown Championships.