Rice is hoping for points in today's race

Entering the race, Buddy Rice is 68 points behind leader Tony Kanaan.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
NAZARETH, Pa. -- Although Buddy Rice came up short in his effort to equal the IRL record of six poles in one season, going fast is not his main priority at Nazareth Speedway.
The Indianapolis 500 champion is trying to avoid mistakes and resume his charge toward the series championship. He sustained a major hit in points a week ago in Pikes Peak, spinning out on the first lap and finishing last.
As a result, Rice enters today's Firestone Indy 225 race 68 points behind leader Tony Kanaan, who qualified third for the race. Rice will start 10th.
"Last week was disappointing for us, but we still have the same determination," Rice said after qualifying Saturday. "The car wasn't as good as we wanted today, but I feel confident about the race setup."
Still, Rice remembers the failure in Colorado, a track not nearly as challenging as this tight, 1-mile oval. He plans to be as cautious as possible today.
"We shouldn't try harder this weekend because that can get you into trouble sometimes," Rice said. "Traffic is always a problem here."
Missing Nazareth
Four-time Indianapolis 500 champion Rick Mears never won a points-paying event at Nazareth Speedway in his days of glory, but he mourns the loss of the facility.
International Speedway Corp. is closing the doors after the Firestone Indy 255 today.
"We've had a lot of great memories here," said Mears, now an adviser at Marlboro Team Penske. "Anytime you lose a track, you hate to see them go."
Mears was in the first race at the track built by his team owner, Roger Penske, in 1987. He witnessed the growth of track from the time before the first wheel turned and the former dirt course converted to asphalt.
"I came in here with Roger one day," Mears recalled. "It was nothing but a bunch of weeds and a concrete wall around it.
"So to see the change that was made with Roger building the place and all the good races that we've had here, it's going to be a shame."
Marshal George
The IRL will celebrate its 100th race with the man responsible for the circuit the central figure in the celebration.
IRL founder, president and CEO Tony George will serve as grand Marshal and give the command to start the Firestone Indy 225 today.
"Looking back over the first 100 races, there is something memorable about each and every one of them," George said. "I recall the first event at Walt Disney World Speedway, and now realize how fortunate we are to have ever run that race, much less make it to our 100th."
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