Rookie Menninga enjoying successful tests

Former Indy Lights competitor Chris Menninga has spent the past week in the cockpit of the No. 92 Hemelgarn/Metro Racing Oldsmobile-powered Dallara chassis after successfully completing his Indy Racing Northern Light Series rookie orientation test.

Menninga, a resident of Pella, Iowa, completed the four speed phases of his Indy Racing rookie test July 27 at the 1.5-mile Kentucky Speedway in the Dallara-Aurora previously raced this season by the now retired Stan Wattles.

Menninga, 26, began preparing for the test Wednesday July 25, recording 66 laps; however, rain postponed the test originally scheduled for Thursday. On Friday morning, under the observation of Indy Racing League Technical Manager Mark Bridges, Menninga passed his test with a top speed of 212.2 mph. With more than 100 laps under his belt, Menninga headed to St. Louis for an open test on July 31.

"Right now for me it is just a matter of getting as much seat time as possible and getting as comfortable with this car as possible," Menninga said. "I just want to get as much seat time under me this year in preparation for 2002."

On July 31, Menninga was one of thirteen drivers touring the 1.25-mile Gateway International Raceway during the six-hour test session. Speeds in excess of 160 mph were recorded in anticipation of the 200-lap Gateway Indy 250 scheduled for 2 pm local time August 26.

Like many teams, Menninga and the Hemelgarn/Metro crew had one last stop remaining on their busy test schedule before returning to Indianapolis.

After a morning of downpour rain, the track was dried and eight drivers took to the 1.5-mile Chicagoland Speedway during the final three hours of the official Indy Racing League Open Test August 2. Menninga recorded the fifth quick time of the day turning in a time of 25.5777 seconds, 211.121 mph.

The inaugural Delphi Indy 300 on September 2 is scheduled for a 3 pm local time start.

The car Menninga drove is set to come under the ownership of Wattles in the near future after the Indy Racing Northern Light Series veteran announced his retirement as a driver following his failure to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 and a disappointing start to the 2001 season alongside defending IRNLS Champion Buddy Lazier.

Wattles originally intended to have the No.92 operation up and running before the season was out and to participate in several end of year events before taking in a full season next year. Whether the team makes it to the grid in 2001 remains to be seen as Wattles has yet to officially announce a firm set of plans but it seems as though Menninga is being primed for a race seat next year.