Blair Racing disappointed with first IRL 8th.

Blair Racing this weekend managed to propel driver Alex Barron to the dizzy heights of second place before completing its first event in the Indy Racing League (IRL) series in eight place.

Blair Racing this weekend competed in its first event in the Indy Racing League (IRL) series. Their driver, San Diego native Alex Barron, competed in the 25-car field, finishing eighth. The race was the season opener for the 2002 IRL championship that will race a total of 15 different events, including the world famous Indianapolis 500.

Barron, driving the Chevrolet-powered by McLaren started 19th for the 300-mile race on the 1.5-mile oval. As well as the team's debut the race was also the 20th Anniversary of the Grand Prix of Miami.

The Miami weather was unusually cool and windy as a cold snap blasted the area with temperatures in the upper 40's and severe wind gusts. The wind made qualifying and difficult for all of the teams; Barron was forced to lift the throttle in Turn One and Turn Two. However, the young Californian had his eyes set on Saturday's race and the final results.

Barron quickly moved the Blair Racing no. 44 into fifth place by lap 31 and into second by lap 32. The crew ran a strategic race working up to this point over the past two months and the whole race weekend. Setting up the car, the crew building as a unit and running a smart race from the pit lane was the order of the day. Barron ran in the top-five from lap 31 to lap 120 and ran in the top-ten for the remainder of the race.

"I was hoping for more today (than finishing eighth)," said Barron. "The team did a really smart race today and that is why we ended up running and finishing where we did. The team, Blair Racing is what got us the 8th place finish today. We had a strong car, handling wise, and no mechanical failures. We just have to put the final pieces in the puzzle and we'll be right there. We ran strong today but you always want more. This team has it; the crew, the set ups and pit stops that's what it's all about. We have to continue to build on that."

"This is where we left off last year (at Fontana finished 9th), but we picked up 8th," said team owner Larry Blair. "A new series and a new team. Tremendous finish. Alex and the whole team did a fantastic job. We did not have any mechanical failures all weekend; we had a solid set up, great pit strategy, good stops and good spotting. My private goal today was a top-ten finish; we did that. I am enormously proud of Blair Racing. The entire team really worked together. As a team owner, this sets the stage for me for the whole year. Today demonstrated that we have a quality team and driver. We are looking forward to great things from everyone here."
Blair Racing now prepares for its west coast swing; round two on the IRL schedule will be at Phoenix's legendary one-mile oval, Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday, March 17.

Barron, who raced at Phoenix in 1996 in Formula 2000, views his prospects as good for Phoenix: "Getting some seat time in the car, the chemistry building; it goes a long way. We want to finish higher at Phoenix. We want the most and that is what we are striving for. I want to keep building, working with this team and get Blair Racing to the front."