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Newspaper
Cedar Rapids Gazette
Location
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States of America
Date
May 17, 1998
Page
17
In Indianapolis Raceway Park events Cahill Racing pilot Jeff Mitrisin of Oskaloosa, 23, raced a Silver Crown car after aiming to qualify for the May 24 Indy 500. The day featured A J Foyt’s return and Robby Unser’s near 216.5 mph speed as several drivers contended Bump Day with crashes sidelining–then clearing–two competitors.
Cahill unites Iowa and Illinois crew to race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with driver Donnie Beechler. McClellan, a former racer and tire supplier, joins as advisor while Cahill owns hotels and telecoms. The effort relies on volunteers and loyalty from longtime associates amid a lifelong labor of love.
The Beechler Cahill team faced a tense qualifying day at The Brickyard as 16 cars posted times. Beechler, eighth on track, posted four consistent laps averaging around 216 mph and remained hopeful despite track heat and tough competition.
A J Foyt, a four time Indy winner and owner, takes two front row spots on opening day as Billy Boat earns the pole with a 223.503 mph four lap average. Kenny Brack starts outside row one while Tony Stewart leads practice on four of six days. Boat’s 224.573 lap becomes fastest since May 10 as speed and strategy mix in.
Springfield, Illinois driver Donnie Beechler, age 86 going on 87, is among 11 rookies on the 82nd Indianapolis 500 entry list. He brings decades of sprint car and USAC experience and a 216 mph qualifying lap, saying the team takes it one day at a time as they work with an inexperienced crew.
A partial lineup lists drivers, home towns, car numbers and chassis engines for the May 24 Indianapolis 500. Speeds range from 223.503 mph for Billy Boat in No. 11 to 215.781 mph for Billy Roe in No. 33, with a partial field average of 218.315 mph.
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