From: Michael Powell 

INDY RACING LEAGUE NOTEBOOK

Businessman invests in Kelley Racing; Dana signs with Hemelgarn

INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2003 – Successful businessman Rick
Weidinger has acquired a minority interest in Kelley Racing, team owner Tom
Kelley announced Dec. 16.

Weidinger most recently served as chairman, CEO and president of Pontio
Communications Company in Austin, Texas, which was acquired by a Fortune
100 company in November 2000.

“We’re very excited that Rick is joining our team,” Kelley said. “This is
no ordinary business relationship but an extraordinary partnership. I
believe that Rick’s background and experience as a successful entrepreneur
will be extremely beneficial to Kelley Racing. His enthusiasm for the
IRL(R) IndyCar(R) Series and our tradition of racing is a great combination
for success in 2004 and beyond.”

Prior to working with Pontio Communications, Weidinger was vice president
of corporate development for MFS Communications Company, Inc., where he was
one of the chief architects for MFS’ growth and acquisition strategy and
had a key role in building it to a multibillion-dollar company.

He earned a master’s degree in business administration and law degree from
Creighton University.

“Rick’s background is in fiber networks, but his future is in racetracks,”
Kelley said.

Weidinger lives in Great Falls, Va., with his wife and their three children.

“Tom Kelley is a leader in professional motorsport and has been involved at
its highest levels since the beginning of the IRL,” Weidinger said. “I am
proud to call him not just a partner but also a mentor.

“Tom and I share the same vision for the team: world-class on-track
performance, first-class hospitality and best-in-class ratings for our
sponsors. Looking at it from the outside, the IRL’s success has been
outstanding, and there is an enormous upside in growth and value. I like
the business model.”

***

Dana signs with Hemelgarn: Paul Dana will return to the Indy Racing
League(R) Menards Infiniti Pro SeriesTM in 2004, moving to
Hemelgarn/Johnson Motorsports, team owners Ron Hemelgarn and Roger Johnson
announced Dec. 12.

Dana, a St. Louis native and Indianapolis resident, will compete in his
second year in the Pro Series driving the No. 91 Ethanol
Dallara/Infiniti/Firestone.

“I’m thrilled that Ron has given me this opportunity,” Dana said.
“Hemelgarn/Johnson have shown they can win in the Pro Series, and it’s
amazing to have the chance to work with an organization that has won the
IndyCar Series championship and the Indy 500.”

In his rookie season, Dana earned six top-10 finishes in 10 events.

“As for next season, it looks like we’ll have a chance to do some decent
preseason testing, which I didn’t have last year, so I think we’ll be very
well prepared,” Dana said. “There’s a winning tradition with this team, and
I hope to be able to keep that alive.”

Hemelgarn Racing won the 1996 Indianapolis 500 and the 2000 IRL IndyCar
Series championship with Buddy Lazier.

“I’m confident we can help Paul further develop his racing skills in the
Pro Series, and with a little luck we’ll pick up a couple more wins,”
Hemelgarn said. “We’re extremely excited to be associated with Ethanol.”

***

Richmond helping fans: A new fan-friendly phone system that will save
customers money on long-distance phone charges was introduced Dec. 17 at
Richmond International Raceway.

Fans wishing to order tickets or obtain information about upcoming events
at the track can now call a toll-free number, (866) 455-RACE (7223) and use
an easy-to-navigate menu that allows fans to connect directly to a ticket
agent or choose from a menu of frequently asked questions.

“Our fans are our number-one priority, and our new phone system will save
them time and money,” said Doug Fritz, president of RIR. “Richmond
International Raceway has long been known as America’s premier short track
by providing great service and value from the time fans call our ticket
office until they leave our parking lots after the race. Fans come to our
races from right here in our backyard, from all 50 states and from many
foreign countries. Any call that comes into our ticket office from anywhere
around the globe will now be free for the caller.”

Although the new phone system is in place, fans are still encouraged to use
the track’s Web site, www.rir.com, for information or to purchase tickets.

The IRL IndyCar Series returns to RIR for the fourth SunTrust Indy
Challenge on June 26, 2004.

***

On display: A Delphi IndyCar Series car will be on display Dec. 26,
2003-Jan. 4, 2004 at the Washington Area New Auto Dealers Association Show
in the Washington Convention Center, 900 9th Street NW, Washington, D.C.




--- Internet Rex 2.29