Team Conseco excited by
Tropicana 400 performance
Started:
16th Chicago, IL (July 15, 2001)— Team
Conseco's driver Ron Hornaday was on his way to a top 10 finish
in the Tropicana 400 at the Chicagoland Speedway’s inaugural
race when the No. 14 Conseco Pontiac’s motor let go.
When the event was over, Hornaday was credited with a 40th
place finish. “Actually, we're really excited,” Hornaday told reporters after falling out of the race. “We definitely had a top 10 car today. We have had our challenges, but I don't mind struggles when you have a car like this one. It was great to see Team Conseco work together all weekend.” Among the 43 starters in Sunday’s
event, six teams experienced engine failures. July 14th - Starting 16th Ron was in "the groove", the only groove at the new Chicagoland Speedway. A close call at the start, when Andy Houston experienced problems causing Ron to go to the high out-side line. The AJ Foyt Racing #14 was strong the first half of the race, running in the top 10 and top 20. Ron and the Team Conseco Pontiac had some great media coverage on NBC television and on MRN radio as well. Unfortunately, the engine let go on lap 151 forcing the early end of the day. "We lost the motor, but these guys gave me a great car and used some great pit strategy. I hate to see the day end like this. I am really proud of this Team Conseco Crew", Ron July 13th - Ron took the Team Conseco Pontiac out to qualify 41st on the new Chicagoland Speedway. Ron and the team had top 20 practice speeds, and with a qualifying lap speed of 180.923 mph, Ron set the AJ Foyt Racing #14 in-to the 16th starting position “I am very excited, this team has worked real hard. I think running the Busch car is helping here, out of one and then in-to the other. My hats off to AJ Foyt and the Team Conseco crew” - Ron Tropicana
400 July 10th - Chicagoland “From everything I’ve
heard about the new Chicagoland Speedway, it’s a lot like
Vegas, which is just fine with me. I like the flatter tracks.
I just seem to run better when the driver has to muscle the car
around the track. It’s more my style I guess.” –Ron |