Scheckter withdraws from Gateway 250

MADISON, Ill. (AP) -- The IRL's top rookie, Tomas Scheckter, will not race Sunday in the Gateway 250 after missing a scheduled technical briefing Friday and his future on the circuit is in limbo.

Eddie Cheever Jr., the owner of the Red Bull Cheever Racing team, blistered the 21-year-old driver after qualifying on Saturday. Scheckter, the son of former Formula One champion Jody Scheckter, told the Indianapolis Star that his management staff made the decision last week "on safety grounds."

"Technically, he's in breach of contract," Cheever said. "Race car driving is not like a lawyer going to the office from 9-to-5. If he's afraid because he has had so many accidents and doesn't want to drive the race car, that's a decision that he makes."

Scheckter is 11th in the points, and won the Michigan Indy 200 on July 28. He has won three poles.

But he's also wrecked six cars in 12 races and also wrecked one car in practice.

"I've lost count of the number of cars we've repaired for Tomas," an agitated Cheever said with his fist clenched. "Repairing all those cars decimated all our flexibility of finishing in the top three this year."

Cheever withdrew Scheckter and put fellow rookie Buddy Rice in Scheckter's car. He said he'd deal with the situation on Monday.

Cheever said Scheckter has been unreliable and intimated being the son of a famous driver might have something to do with it.

"He has a habit of missing technical debriefings and not being there on time unless he is led by the hand," Cheever said. "Maybe the fact he doesn't have to work for a living might give him a different perspective."

Fellow drivers were disappointed by Scheckter's decision not to race on Sunday. Points leader Sam Hornish Jr. said it takes time to get the feel for the circuit.

"I figured he'd stick around and get some races under his belt," Hornish said. "If he's going to go do something else next year, it's a good decision, but if he's going to come back it would be better to have a little more seat time."

Gil de Ferran, who won the pole for Sunday's race, said he was "sad" Scheckter decided not to race.

"You never really know what's behind all this dealing, so it would be unfair for me to comment on that," de Ferran said. "But from my standpoint I enjoyed racing against Tomas and I think he will be missed."

 

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