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The State of Florida will proclaim Tuesday, April 27th , “Eddie Cheever, Jr. Day”. The proclamation follows the City of Orlando’s similar honor of its Central Florida resident on April 26th by Mayor Glenda Hood. Eddie Cheever’s Team Cheever Indy Racing League show car will be on display in the courtyard in front of the new Capitol Building Eddie Cheever, Jr. is one of the most experienced drivers in racing today. He joined the Indy circuit in 1990, winning Rookie of the Year honors in the Indianapolis 500 and qualifying for a front-row starting position in the 1992 event. In addition to winning the 1998 Indianapolis 500, he also has won the 1997 and 1999 Indy 200 at the Walt Disney World Speedway in Orlando. He is one of the few owner/drivers in the Indy circuit. Although born in the United States, Cheever grew up in Italy. He drove in his first race at 13 and became the Italian and European go-kart champion. At 19 Cheever joined the Ferrari racing team as a test driver. Cheever advanced through the Formula Series driving Formula One from 1978 to 1989. He has driven more Grand Prix races than any other American (132 starts), including Mario Andretti and Dan Gurney.
- In a surprise move as the reigning Indy 500 champion, Cheever recently switched his Oldsmobile engine program to Infiniti and posted fifth fastest time during recent Open Test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
- First race with the new Infiniti engine package will be next Saturday evening at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
- Currently ranked 3rd in IRL Drivers Points and 2nd in IRL Team Points. Won first race of the 1999 season at Walt Disney World Speedway.
- Team Cheever will field Belgium rookie driver, Wim Eyckmans, at this year’s 1999 Indy 500. Wim was the first of nine rookies passing the rigid Rookie Orientation program at Indianapolis in under 2 ½ hours.
- Cheever is a participant in this year’s IROC 4-race invitational series and will race at Talladega this weekend.
- Team Cheever is looking to field Busch team in year 2000.
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