VisionAire 500

Location: Lowe's Motor Speedway 1.5 Mile Paved Oval 208 Laps/312 Miles July 26, 1997 Time of race: 1:55:29.224 Average speed of winner: 162.096 Margin of victory: 3.301 Lead changes: 13 among 6 leaders Cautions: 4 for 27 laps Lap leaders: Stewart 1-47, Goodyear 48, Stewart 49-75, Lazier 76-92, Boat 93-100, Guerrero 101-126, Boat 127-139, Kite 140-145, Boat 146, Kite 147-151, Boat 152-166, Lazier 167-195, Boat 196, Lazier 197-208

Summary:

Buddy Lazier topped rookie Billy Boat to take his second IRL victory in the first-ever Indycar race at this long-time stock-car racing venue. The start of the race looked like it was going to be a benefit for polesitter Tony Stewart, but his car developed handling problems after pitting during a caution period on lap 75 and was out of contention thereafter. Lazier made a pit strategy gamble that didn't work; he stayed out during the caution and assumed the lead, but had to make a green-flag stop on lap 93 and fell a lap down. Mark Dismore moved up steadily through the field but blew an engine at full speed going down the front stretch on lap 99; he spun the car harmlessly into the infield in turn 1 and won applause from the North Carolina crowd for his excellent driving. Boat, Roberto Guerrero, and Jimmy Kite (in only his second IRL start) swapped the lead until Guerrero touched wheels with points leader Davey Hamilton in turn 2 and both cars spun into the wall. Neither driver was hurt, but his resulting 16th-place finish cost Hamilton the points lead. Lazier unlapped himself on the subsequent caution and joined the duel with Boat and Kite; the latter's race ended when his car pushed up into the wall exiting turn 4. After the caution, Lazier took the lead and appeared to be faster than Boat, but got caught behind Scott Goodyear who was trying to stay on the lead lap. While Lazier made several high-risk pass attempts (including two runs through the grass in the quad-oval), Boat "picked" him and briefly assumed the lead, but then Goodyear conceded and Lazier moved back in front for the final 11 laps. In the last few laps, Kenny Brack and Eddie Cheever staged a furious duel for fifth as they picked through traffic, with Brack coming out on top. Many observers agreed that it was one of the most exciting Indycar races ever conducted. (from IRL Underground)